TY - GEN
T1 - Innovative Multi-Microchannel Design for Enhanced Sensitivity in Soft Microfluidic Force Sensors
AU - Othman, Wael
AU - Qasaimeh, Mohammad A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 IEEE.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Microfluidic-based sensors are rapidly gaining momentum in the field of soft tactile sensing, especially for the precise measurement of externally applied forces.This study introduces an innovative “multi-microchannel” design for soft microfluidic force sensors, enhancing the sensitivity while extending the working range.Our optimized fabrication protocol combines 3D printing and soft lithography technologies to create silicone elastomeric layers that form the sensor, offering a scalable, cost-effective approach suitable for standard laboratory settings.Fabricated sensors exhibit inherent flexibility, enabling them to stretch, twist, and bend.Our findings highlight the significant impact of microchannel characteristics, such as cross-sectional area and depth, on force sensing performance.We demonstrated the effectiveness of our novel multi-microchannel sensing approach by integrating two distinct microchannels at varying depths within a single sensor, providing dual force sensing profiles.Overall, microfluidic force sensing emerges as a key enabling technology for soft tactile sensing applications, including soft robotics and wearables.
AB - Microfluidic-based sensors are rapidly gaining momentum in the field of soft tactile sensing, especially for the precise measurement of externally applied forces.This study introduces an innovative “multi-microchannel” design for soft microfluidic force sensors, enhancing the sensitivity while extending the working range.Our optimized fabrication protocol combines 3D printing and soft lithography technologies to create silicone elastomeric layers that form the sensor, offering a scalable, cost-effective approach suitable for standard laboratory settings.Fabricated sensors exhibit inherent flexibility, enabling them to stretch, twist, and bend.Our findings highlight the significant impact of microchannel characteristics, such as cross-sectional area and depth, on force sensing performance.We demonstrated the effectiveness of our novel multi-microchannel sensing approach by integrating two distinct microchannels at varying depths within a single sensor, providing dual force sensing profiles.Overall, microfluidic force sensing emerges as a key enabling technology for soft tactile sensing applications, including soft robotics and wearables.
KW - Design Parameters
KW - Flexible Materials
KW - Force Sensing
KW - Microfluidics
KW - Microsystems
KW - Soft Sensors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85202352948&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85202352948&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/MARSS61851.2024.10612704
DO - 10.1109/MARSS61851.2024.10612704
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85202352948
T3 - Proceedings of MARSS 2024 - 7th International Conference on Manipulation, Automation, and Robotics at Small Scales
BT - Proceedings of MARSS 2024 - 7th International Conference on Manipulation, Automation, and Robotics at Small Scales
A2 - Haliyo, Sinan
A2 - Boudaoud, Mokrane
A2 - Mastrangeli, Massimo
A2 - Lambert, Pierre
A2 - Fatikow, Sergej
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
T2 - 7th International Conference on Manipulation, Automation, and Robotics at Small Scales, MARSS 2024
Y2 - 1 July 2024 through 5 July 2024
ER -