The flexible
temperature array was made by drawing
a resistor
structure with a silver conductive ink pen on Post-it paper.
© 2016 KAUST
(February 21, 2016) A
paper-based sensor that mimics the sensory functions of human skin has been
developed for the first time from low-cost and commonly available household
materials.
Everyday materials from the kitchen drawer, such as aluminum
foil, sticky note paper, sponges and tape, have been used by a team of
electrical engineers from KAUST to develop a low-cost sensor that can detect
external stimuli, including touch, pressure, temperature, acidity and humidity.
The sensor, which is called Paper Skin, performs as well as
other artificial skin applications currently being developed while integrating
multiple functions using cost-effective materials.
“This work has the potential to revolutionize the
electronics industry and opens the door to commercializing affordable
high-performance sensing devices,” stated Muhammad Mustafa Hussain from the
University’s Integrated Nanotechnology Lab, where the research was conducted.
Wearable and flexible electronics show promise for a variety
of applications, such as wireless monitoring of patient health and touch-free
computer interfaces. Current research in this direction employs expensive and
sophisticated materials and processes.