Ultra-Sensitive Wireless Capacitive Nanocomposite-Based Pressure Sensors

Wireless capacitive pressure sensors have been widely studied for health monitoring applications including continues monitoring of blood flow in patients suffering from high blood pressure, tracking of bladder pressure in patients with urine incontinence, and monitoring intracranial pressure in patients experiencing traumatic brain injuries. However, a key challenge remains in increasing the sensitivity of these sensors to applied pressure. Conventional approaches typically focus on altering the geometrical structure of the dielectric layer or utilizing different polymers. However, these methods often face limitations related to the physical stability, complexity, and practicality of fabricating the structures.

 

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed an ultra-sensitive, biocompatible wireless capacitive pressure sensor utilizing a nanocomposite dielectric layer with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles for real-time biomedical applications. The ZnO nanoparticles are embedded in styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) and have a pyramid-structured design to enhance sensitivity for pressure monitoring. This provides optimized mechanical support to the structures, ensuring that more of them are properly formed. This not only increases the sensitivity of the sensors to applied pressure but also strengthens the structures on the dielectric layer, preventing deformation after pressure is applied. Further, this does not dramatically change the dielectric constant of the polymer, preventing sensitivity degradation.

 

This innovation has the potential to revolutionize wireless passive capacitive pressure sensor technology, providing a more robust and efficient approach to enhancing sensitivity.

 

 

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