Flexible capacitive pressure sensor based on interdigital electrodes with porous microneedle arrays for physiological signal monitoring

Flexible pressure sensors have many potential applications in the monitoring of physiological signals because of their good biocompatibil-ity and wearability.However,their relatively low sensitivity,linearity,and stability have hindered their large-scale commercial application.Herein,aflexible capacitive pressure sensor based on an interdigital electrode structure with two porous microneedle arrays(MNAs)is pro-posed.The porous substrate that constitutes the MNA is a mixed product of polydimethylsiloxane and NaHCO3.Due to its porous and interdigital structure,the maximum sensitivity(0.07 kPa-1)of a porous MNA-based pressure sensor was found to be seven times higher than that of an imporous MNA pressure sensor,and it was much greater than that of aflat pressure sensor without a porous MNA structure.Finite-element analysis showed that the interdigital MNA structure can greatly increase the strain and improve the sensitivity of the sen-sor.In addition,the porous MNA-based pressure sensor was found to have good stability over 1500 loading cycles as a result of its bilayer parylene-enhanced conductive electrode structure.Most importantly,it was found that the sensor could accurately monitor the motion of afinger,wrist joint,arm,face,abdomen,eye,and Adam’s apple.Furthermore,preliminary semantic recognition was achieved by monitoring the movement of the Adam’s apple.Finally,multiple pressure sensors were integrated into a 33 array to detect a spatial pressure distribu-×tion.Compared to the sensors reported in previous works,the interdigital electrode structure presented in this work improves sensitivity and stability by modifying the electrode layer rather than the dielectric layer.

Silver Nanowire Electrodes: Conductivity Improvement Without Post-treatment and Application in Capacitive Pressure Sensors

Transparent electrode based on silver nanowires(Ag NWs) emerges as an outstanding alternative of indium tin oxide film especially for flexible electronics. However, the conductivity of Ag NWs transparent electrode is still dramatically limited by the contact resistance between nanowires at high transmittance. Polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) layer adsorbed on the nanowire surface acts as an electrically insulating barrier at wire–wire junctions, and some devastating post-treatment methods are proposed to reduce or eliminate PVP layer, which usually limit the application of the substrates susceptible to heat or pressure and burden the fabrication with high-cost, time-consuming, or inefficient processes. In this work, a simple and rapid pre-treatment washing method was proposed to reduce the thickness of PVP layer from 13.19 to0.96 nm and improve the contact between wires. Ag NW electrodes with sheet resistances of 15.6 and 204 X sq-1have been achieved at transmittances of 90 and 97.5 %, respectively. This method avoided any post-treatments and popularized the application of high-performance Ag NW transparent electrode on more substrates. The improved Ag NWs were successfully employed in a capacitive pressure sensor with high transparency, sensitivity, and reproducibility.

Solid Reference Electrode of Metallurgical Oxygen Sensor

The thermal equilibrium state of the reference electrode was investigated. The results show that the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of zirconia tube was very small and the Seebeck effect can be ignored after the sensor was dipped into liquid steel for more than 2 s. A special sensor was designed to test the relation between the EMF （electromotive force） of sensor and the thermal equilibrium state of the reference elec- trode. Based on these results, it is suggested that the peak in EMF curve was caused by the change of oxygen potential in reference electrode before the thermal equilibrium was reached. If NiO was added by 2 M- 5 M to the Cr/Cr2O3 reference electrode, the peak in EMF curve could be eliminated.

A Novel Uniplanar Multi-Electrode Capacitive Sensor for In-Situ Weathering Damage Detection of Nonmetallic Materials

A uniplanar capacitive sensor with 5-electrodes on one plane substrate and a large reflector electrode,was designed to get the corresponding capacitance information for weathering damage detection of non-metallic materials exposed to a service environment.A 2-D finite-element method was employed to simulate the electric potential distribution and capacitance measurements for the sensor.2 marble slabs,one was healthy and the other was notched,were experimentally detected.Both the simulation and the preliminary experimental results show that the measured capacitances decrease after weathering damage occurs in nonmetallic material.The reflector can enlarge the sensitive depth.The weathering assessment of nonmetallic materials can be done by processing the measured capacitances.The proposed approach can effectively detect the weathering damage of nonmetallic material and can be practically used for in-situ weathering damage evaluation.

SPE Membrane Electrode and Its Application to Chemical Sensor

The structure and proton conducting mechanism of solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) are described. Since the conductivity of electrolyte is important in SPE electrochemical cell research and development, we investigate quantitatively the conductivity of Nafion membrane and its dependence on temperature and relative humidity. Experimental results show that the conductivity of Nafion membrane increases with temperature and relative humidity. We also reports on the preparation and development of SPE membrane electrode with the emphasis on the mixture pressing method and impregnation-reduction process to prepare SPE composite electrode assemblies and their application to electrochemical sensors. We also investigate and fabricate a potentiometric electrochemical sensor of hydrogen and ethylene to measure the hydrogen and ethylene partial pressure.

Seismic Noise Suppression for Ground-Based Investigation of an Inertial Sensor by Suspending the Electrode Cage

Performance test of a high precise accelerometer or an inertial sensor on the ground is inevitably limited by the seismic noise. A torsion pendulum has been used to investigate the performances of an electrostatic accelerometer, where the test mass is suspended by a fiber to compensate for its weight, and this scheme demonstrates an advantage, compared with the high-voltage levitation scheme, in which the effect of the seismic noise can be suppressed for a few orders of magnitude in low frequencies. In this work, the capacitive electrode cage is proposed to be suspended by another pendulum, and theoretical analysis shows that the effects of the seismic noise can be further suppressed for more than one order by suspending the electrode cage.

OSCILLATION FREQUENCY THEORY OF A PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR INLIQUID PHASE WITH TWO SEPARATED－ELECTRODES

In this paper, an oscillation frequency equation for a pizoelectric sensor with two separated-electrodes is theoretically derived and experimentally verified. The correlatione of the oscillation frequency and the liquid properties are investigated.

Electrocatalytic and Sensors Properties of Natural Smectite Type Clay towards the Detection of Paraquat Using a Film-Modified Electrode

In this study, a low-cost and sensitive voltammetric method was developed for the determination of paraquat (PQ2+). This was achieved by coating a glassy carbon electrode with a purified fraction of a smectite-type clay, which was then used to accumulate paraquat by an ion exchange process. The electronanalytical procedure involves two steps: the chemical preconcentration of paraquat under open-circuit conditions in an aqueous medium, followed by the voltammetric detection of the preconcentrated pollutant in a medium containing permanganate ions which significantly improved through its catalytic action the electrode response. A systematic study of the experimental conditions (pH of the accumulation and detection media, permanganate concentration in the detection medium, clay content of the coating, potential and duration of the electrolysis step) on the stripping response were examined in detail. After optimization, a linear calibration curve for paraquat was obtained in the concentration range from 1.6 to 2.8 μM, leading to a detection limit of 3.8 × 10–9 mol·L–1 (S/N = 3). The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of paraquat in spring water.

Electrode for Force Sensor of Conductive Rubber

Tactile sensors are believed to be a key element in order to realize robotic fingers to catch a fragile object without damage. Force sensitive conductive rubber is a low-cost material and then attractive for the application to tactile sensors. We have studied the effect of electrodes attached to the rubber sheets. We have tried four kinds of electrodes: vacuum deposited Al, adhesive Cu tape, Al thin film sheet and silver paste. It can be concluded that vacuum deposited Al has the highest potential from the practical point of view;it has the widest dynamic range and good precision at the same time.

Electrodeposited Cobalt-Iron Alloy Thin-Film for Potentiometric Hydrogen Phosphate-Ion Sensor

A cobalt-iron alloy thin-film electrode-based electrochemical hydrogen-phosphate-ion sensor was prepared by electrodepositing on an Au-coated Al2O3 substrate from an aqueous solution of metal-salts. The use of a cobalt-iron alloy electrode greatly improved the hydrogen-ion sensor response performance, i.e., the sensor worked stably for more than 7 weeks and showed a quick response time of several seconds. Among the cobalt and iron alloy systems tested, the electrodeposited Co58Fe42 thin-film electrode showed the best EMF response characteristics, i.e., the sensor exhibited a linear potentiometric response to hydrogen-phosphate ion at the concentration range between 1.0 × 10–5 and 1.0 × 10–2 M with the slope of –43 mV/decade at pH 5.0 and at 30℃. A sensing mechanism of the Co-based potentiometric hydrogen-phosphate ion sensor was proposed on the basis of results of instrumental analysis.

Comparative study of electrostatic sensors with circular and probe electrodes for velocity measurement of pulverised coal

This paper presents recent progress on the velocity measurement of pulverised coal in pneumatic pipelines using electrostatic sensors in combination with correlation signal processing techniques.A comparative study of electrostatic sensors with circular and probe electrodes was conducted on a 94 mm bore horizontal pipeline in a 4 MW furnace.The advantages and limitations of both sensors are discussed.Experimental results demonstrate that both sensors are capable of providing pulverised coal velocity measurement with excellent repeatability and dynamic response.

Sol-Gel Relative Humidity Sensors: Impact of Electrode Geometry on Performance in Soil Suction Measurements

This paper describes the experimental procedure followed to fabricate and validate sol-gel based RH sensors which will be incorporated in soil specimens for standard laboratorial tests. It is the first time such sensors were used for soil suction measurement. They are microfabricated relative humidity sensors (footprint area 11,000 μm × 22,000 μm) operating based on changes in electrical resistivity detected by a cerium doped silica titania film deposited using a sol-gel technique. Their design required gathering experts in several engineering specialties. The working principle of the sensors is based on water vapour equilibrium between the air in the soil and in the sol-gel pores, due to the contact between the two porous materials. The spacing between interdigitated aluminium electrodes was optimized to improve the sensing properties of the sol-gel. The calibration of the different prototypes was done against compacted clay, varying the spacing between 100 and 700 μm. The sensors were also incorporated in soil samples for suction measurement during wetting and drying paths. They were validated by comparing the readings with those from a water dew point potentiometer. From this study it was possible to determine the optimum electrodes spacing of 200 μm. Error was explained by sol-gel heterogeneity effect and by the resolution of the sensing area provided by the electrodes spacing. When comparing with other sensors operating inside soil specimens in standard laboratorial tests, these sol-gel sensors extend the operation range available with the alternative technologies: while conventional tensiometers measure suction ranges from 0 to 1.8 MPa, our sensors demonstrate good results between 1 to 10 MPa (and higher).

Studies on Zeolite Modified Electrode(Ⅰ)─Ascorbic Acid Sensor Based on Carbon Paste Electrode Containing Fe(Ⅲ)Y Zeolite

A new ascorbic acid sensor constituted of carbon paste and Fe(Ⅲ)Y zeolite was studied.The characters of the sensor such as linear range. potential window、apparen Michaelis constant、response time、stability and accuracy wee investigated. The experimental results indicate that the analytical performance of the sensor is satisfactory.

Enhanced Electrochemical and Physical Properties of Ag/AgCl Planar Reference Electrodesin Potentiometric Sensors by Graphite Oxide Layer

The most common reference electrode (RE) which is used in electrochemical measurements is the Ag/AgCl electrode. In this study, we present a novel solid-state Ag/AgCl planar electrode that was coated with a thin layer of Graphite Oxide (GO) as a protective layer. The Ag/AgCl planar electrode was fabricated by using the photolithography and lift-off method combined with the Ag[NH3]2Cl complex. The GO was produced by Hummer’s method and was deposited on top of the Ag/AgCl layer by drop-casting method. The layers of the fabricated reference electrode were characterized by micro Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The responding time of the planar electrode was short and the signal was more stable in comparison to the plainAg/AgCl electrode. The Open Circuit Potential (OCP) measurement with the fabricated electrode as the RE and the platinum electrode as the working electrode in electrolyte solutions which had various pH values was performed with a linear response in pH ranges from pH 5 to pH 8 and the linear correlation coefficient (R^2 = 0.9899). Moreover, the coating of the GO layers also enhanced the durability of the modified electrode. The results showed that the modified Ag/AgCl electrode with a thin layer GO as the protective layer could be used as plana REs for the potentiometric sensors.

A visible-light-assisted Pd/TiO_(2)gas sensor with carbon nanotubes electrodes for trace formaldehyde detection

Owing to the ppb-level detection standard toward the toxic and harmful gas,the detection of trace gases has become an important subject in the field of indoor environment management.However,the traditional resistive gas sensors hardly meet the requirement due to the weak signal generated by trace gas molecules that are difficult to capture.Herein,a visible-light-assisted Pd/TiO_(2)gas sensor is proposed to endow the effective detection of trace formaldehyde(HCHO)gas without heating temperature.Benefiting from the enhanced photocatalytic properties of TiO_(2)by Pd decoration,the visible-light-assisted Pd/TiO_(2)gas sensor can detect the HCHO gas as low as80×10^(–9)at room temperature.The successful preparation of nanoscale TiO_(2)sensing layer is facilitated by the ultrathin carbon nanotube interdigital electrode in the gas sensor,which avoids the discontinuity of the sensing layer caused by the excessive thickness of the traditional metal electrode.In addition,the whole preparation process of the Pd/TiO_(2)gas sensor with carbon nanotube electrodes is compatible with mainstream CMOS fabrication technology,which is expected to realize the batch fabrication and micro-integrated application of gas sensors.It is expected that our work can provide a new strategy for the batch preparation of high-performance trace HCHO gas sensors and their future applications in portable electronic devices such as smartphones.

Noninvasive Label-Free Detection of Cortisol and Lactate Using Graphene Embedded Screen-Printed Electrode

A sensitive and specific immunosensor for the detection of the hormones cortisol and lactate in human or animal biological fluids, such as sweat and saliva, was devised using the label-free electrochemical chronoamperometric technique. By using these fluids instead of blood,the biosensor becomes noninvasive and is less stressful to the end user, who may be a small child or a farm animal.Electroreduced graphene oxide(e-RGO) was used as a synergistic platform for signal amplification and template for bioconjugation for the sensing mechanism on a screenprinted electrode. The cortisol and lactate antibodies were bioconjugated to the e-RGO using covalent carbodiimide chemistry. Label-free electrochemical chronoamperometric detection was used to analyze the response to the desired biomolecules over the wide detection range. A detection limit of 0.1 ng mL^(-1) for cortisol and 0.1 mM for lactate was established and a correlation between concentration and current was observed. A portable, handheld potentiostat assembled with Bluetooth communication and battery operation enables the developed system for point-of-care applications. A sandwich-like structure containing the sensing mechanisms as a prototype was designed to secure the biosensor to skin and use capillary action to draw sweat or other fluids toward the sensing mechanism. Overall, the immunosensor shows remarkable specificity, sensitivity as well as the noninvasive and point-of-care capabilities and allows the biosensor to be used as a versatile sensing platform in both developed and developing countries.

Transparent Electronic Skin Device Based on Microstructured Silver Nanowire Electrode

Transparent, flexible electronic skin holds a wide range of applications in robotics, humanmachine interfaces, artificial intelligence, prosthetics, and health monitoring. Silver nanowire are mechanically flexible and robust, which exhibit great potential in transparent and electricconducting thin film. Herein, we report on a silver-nanowire spray-coating and electrodemicrostructure replicating strategy to construct a transparent, flexible, and sensitive electronic skin device. The electronic skin device shows highly sensitive piezo-capacitance response to pressure. It is found that micropatterning the surface of dielectric layer polyurethane elastomer by replicating from microstructures of natural-existing surfaces such as lotus leaf, silk, and frosted glass can greatly enhance the piezo-capacitance performance of the device. The microstructured pressure sensors based on silver nanowire exhibit good transparency, excellent flexibility, wide pressure detection range （0-150 kPa）, and high sensitivity （1.28 kPa-1）.

Unique Nafion-Os(bpy)3^(2+) Modified Electrodes

It was newly found that the electrodes modified by applying ethanol solutions of Nationcontaining os(bpy)32+ onto the substrate electrode (the one-step method) show two pairs of stableredox peaks of Os(bpy)32+/3+ on cyclic voltammogram near 0.54V and 0.25V, respectively. Thesemoditied electrodes can effectively mediate and catalyze the first and second steps of nitritereduction in acidic media in the potential region 0-0.9V when the loading in the coating (X=F(Os2+) / F(SO3-)) and pH in solution are below 0. 17 and 4, respectively. When X is between 0.33and 0. 17. only the current peak near 0.54V appears regardless of solution pH and only the first stepof NO2 reduction is catalyzed. Thus the modified electrode provides a very useful flexibility thatone can control the reaction pathway and catalytic activity of nitrite reduction by simply changingthe concentration of the mediator in the coating.

Development of a Poly(vinyl chloride)-based Nitrate Ion-selective Electrode

The authors developed a nitrate ion-selective electrode（ISE） based on poly（vinyl chloride）（PVC） membrane with methyltrioctylammonium nitrate as a carrier and 1-decanol as a plasticizer.The performance of the nitrate-sensitive membranes was optimized by tuning the composition of components.The electrode exhibits a linear response with a Nernstian slope of（52±1.0） mV per decade for the nitrate ion concentration ranging from 5.8×10-5 mol/L to 1.0 mol/L.The electrode can be used to detect a low concentration of nitrate ions down to 3×10-5 mol/L in a pH range of 2.1―11.5 without any compensation.The advantage of the electrode includes simple preparation,short response time and good repeatability.The detection performance of the novel electrode on nitrate ions has been tested for water samples.

Chemically modified carbon-based electrodes for the determination of paracetamol in drugs and biological samples

Paracetamol is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug widely used in pharmaceutical applications for its sturdy, antipyretic and analgesic action. However, an overdose of paracetamol can cause fulminant hepatic necrosis and other toxic effects. Thus, the development of advantageous analytical tools to detect and determine paracetamol is required. Due to simplicity, higher sensitivity and selectivity as well as costefficiency, electrochemical sensors were fully investigated in last decades. This review describes the advancements made in the development of electrochemical sensors for the paracetamol detection and quantification in pharmaceutical and biological samples. The progress made in electrochemical sensors for the selective detection of paracetamol in the last 10 years was examined, with a special focus on highly innovative features introduced by nanotechnology. As the literature is rather extensive, we tried to simplify this work by summarizing and grouping electrochemical sensors according to the by which manner their substrates were chemically modified and the analytical performances obtained.