Stretchable Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor Array with Sophisticated Sensitivity, Strain‐Insensitivity, and Reproducibility

Abstract

AbstractThis study delves into the development of a novel 10 by 10 sensor array featuring 100 pressure sensor pixels, achieving remarkable sensitivity up to 888.79 kPa−1, through the innovative design of sensor structure. The critical challenge of strain sensitivity inherent is addressed in stretchable piezoresistive pressure sensors, a domain that has seen significant interest due to their potential for practical applications. This approach involves synthesizing and electrospinning polybutadiene‐urethane (PBU), a reversible cross‐linking polymer, subsequently coated with MXene nanosheets to create a conductive fabric. This fabrication technique strategically enhances sensor sensitivity by minimizing initial current values and incorporating semi‐cylindrical electrodes with Ag nanowires (AgNWs) selectively coated for optimal conductivity. The application of a pre‐strain method to electrode construction ensures strain immunity, preserving the sensor's electrical properties under expansion. The sensor array demonstrated remarkable sensitivity by consistently detecting even subtle airflow from an air gun in a wind sensing test, while a novel deep learning methodology significantly enhanced the long‐term sensing accuracy of polymer‐based stretchable mechanical sensors, marking a major advancement in sensor technology. This research presents a significant step forward in enhancing the reliability and performance of stretchable piezoresistive pressure sensors, offering a comprehensive solution to their current limitations.