Design and Implementation of a Textile Pressure Sensor based on Carbon Impregnated Foam

Abstract

The main focus of researchers and manufacturers is to develop simple sensors with minimum cost that ensure equivalent features as provided by existing sensors. In addition, if the sensor is capable to work in non-laboratory-ready environment with low power consumption, is another important feature offered by any sensor design. Considering these features, a textile pressure sensor system is presented in this article. This sensor is economically affordable, soft, light weight, has moderate pressure sensitivity, and requires easier electronic integration. It can work in dusty environment and consumes low power. The sensor is made of carbon impregnated foam and conductive threads. Such sensors can be used in integral control system, in wearable sport trainers, in mats for people tracking or into transport systems to collect passenger usage data, in healthcare applications: posture analysis or non-invasive pressure measurement, etc. Outcomes are analysed for temperature dependency, linearity, hysteresis, and operating range of the sensor.