Engineered Ionic Polymer Metal Composite Sensors: Process, Structure, Properties, and Performance Under Multimodal Sensing Conditions and Their Application Towards Wearable Postural-Tactile Measurement
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Authors
Fakharian, Omid
Issue Date
2024
Type
Dissertation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs) are ionic electroactive polymers that exhibit actuation, sensing, and energy harvesting capabilities. This thesis focuses on IPMC sensors and aims to improve their sensitivity under various loading conditions. To achieve this, a new fabrication method, named the polymer abrading technique, has been developed to create novel engineered IPMCs (eIPMCs) with superior sensing behavior. Surface characterization using SEM images has been conducted to capture the microfeatures created by the abrasion process. Electrochemical tests have been performed to extract the electrochemical properties of the samples. Finally, these eIPMCs have been tested under static and dynamic compression, static bending, and static and dynamic extension, with measurements taken for open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current performance. To explore the application of these sensors in different modes, a finger sensor device has been designed and developed, utilizing eIPMCs under bending and compression to sense finger flexural and tactile performance.