Highly stable soft strain sensor based on Gly-KCl filled sinusoidal fluidic channel for wearable and water-proof robotic applications

A highly stretchable, stable and linear fluidic strain sensor has been developed using cost-effective and simple fabrication process. A biocompatible composite of glycerol and potassium chloride has been used as the conductive sensing material which is infilled in 5-half cycles sinusoidal channel made of elastomer using 3D printed mold. High sensitivity with hysteresis of 4.23% and speed of 5 Hz were achieved due to less viscous composite and optimized sensor design. The fabricated sensor exhibited outstanding resistive response up to 100% stretching and gauge factor of 2.7. Device was tested on 8000 cycles at 25% strain. The optimization of the design was performed on COMSOL 5.4 using FEA tool. Sensor's characterization in different environmental conditions was successfully performed. Finally device was used as a feedback sensor for underwater robotic angular movement detections and personnel wearable device. The results highly favor our proposed sensor to be used in high end applications. (paper)