1. 3D Printing Technologies for Flexible Tactile Sensors toward Wearable Electronics and Electronic Skin
- Author
-
Zhangwei Chen, Xuchun Gui, Yuelong Fu, Changyong Liu, Changshi Lao, Ninggui Huang, Feng Xu, and Junda Tong
- Subjects
Polymers and Plastics ,Piezoelectric sensor ,Computer science ,Capacitive sensing ,Electronic skin ,3D printing ,02 engineering and technology ,Review ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,lcsh:QD241-441 ,wearable electronics ,lcsh:Organic chemistry ,Tactile Perceptions ,Wearable technology ,business.industry ,Electrical engineering ,electronic skin ,General Chemistry ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Piezoresistive effect ,0104 chemical sciences ,0210 nano-technology ,business ,tactile sensors ,Tactile sensor - Abstract
3D printing has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. Over the past three decades, various 3D printing technologies have been developed including photopolymerization-based, materials extrusion-based, sheet lamination-based, binder jetting-based, power bed fusion-based and direct energy deposition-based processes. 3D printing offers unparalleled flexibility and simplicity in the fabrication of highly complex 3D objects. Tactile sensors that emulate human tactile perceptions are used to translate mechanical signals such as force, pressure, strain, shear, torsion, bend, vibration, etc. into electrical signals and play a crucial role toward the realization of wearable electronics and electronic skin. To date, many types of 3D printing technologies have been applied in the manufacturing of various types of tactile sensors including piezoresistive, capacitive and piezoelectric sensors. This review attempts to summarize the current state-of-the-art 3D printing technologies and their applications in tactile sensors for wearable electronics and electronic skin. The applications are categorized into five aspects: 3D-printed molds for microstructuring substrate, electrodes and sensing element; 3D-printed flexible sensor substrate and sensor body for tactile sensors; 3D-printed sensing element; 3D-printed flexible and stretchable electrodes for tactile sensors; and fully 3D-printed tactile sensors. Latest advances in the fabrication of tactile sensors by 3D printing are reviewed and the advantages and limitations of various 3D printing technologies and printable materials are discussed. Finally, future development of 3D-printed tactile sensors is discussed.
- Published
- 2018