Flexible proximity key-panel

This paper proposes a flexible proximity sensor fabricated by resembling print screen. The sensor unit is composed of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) layer sandwiched in between top- and bottom-electrode layers which are made of conductive silver ink. The sensing mechanism bases on the pyroelectricity of the PVDF layer. The aforesaid sandwiched sensor units are sprayed simultaneously on a flexible polyimide (PI) substrate layer by layer to form a sensor key-panel. The resembling print screen process is very low-cost. The prototype demonstrates that it is sensitive to human fingers, and therefore one of its applications is becoming for a flexible non-contact proximity key-panel for the user interface of instruments or machines. It may also be applied to proximity sensing or thermal radiation sensing. The proposed flexible proximity key-panel is also suitable for massive roll-to-roll process.