Analysis and Design of a Cantilever as a Vertical Graphene-Based Displacement Sensor

Displacement measurement is crucial across various fields, and this study introduced an innovative system using vertical graphene (VG) for this purpose. The system incorporates cantilevers and wedge structures to minimize graphene material deformation. The study delves into the sensing mechanism of flexible VG sensors, involving sliding, crack propagation, carbon nanofragment contact changes, and tunneling effects in graphene sheets. Additionally, the impact of temperature annealing and aging treatment on VG sensor stability was explored, along with an assessment of VG bars’ temperature sensitivity. The results show that the VG sensor’s relative resistance change rate increases with temperature up to 70 °C, with decreased stability beyond that point. Calibration tests demonstrated the sensor’s performance, revealing a measurement range of 0–30 mm, a sensitivity of 20%, and a resolution of 0.0094 mm. The hysteresis error was measured at 0.33%, with repeatability and accuracy errors at 10.39% and 7.47%, respectively. These outcomes underscore the sensor’s potential for diverse sensing applications.