Microfluidic Channel-Based Soft Electrodes and Their Application in Capacitive Pressure Sensing

Our research really focuses on flexible and stretchable electronics for sensing applications, while trying to develop innovative materials and manufacturing precisely for flexible electronic systems. Flexible and stretchable electrodes are essential components in soft artificial sensory systems. Despite recent advances in flexible electronics, most electrodes are either restricted by the patterning resolution or the capability of inkjet printing, high-viscosity super-elastic materials.

In this protocol, we have demonstrated a novel microfluidic channel-based printing method for stretchable electrodes. The conducting material of the electrode, the ECPC flooring, can be scraped into the microchannel, thus forming a conductive polymer that exhibits a stretchability as high as the PDMS substrate. Compared with the actions produced by existing fabrication methods, such as inkjet printing, scrape printing, spray printing, and transfer printing, the proposed microfluidic channel-based soft electrons have the advantages of a high printing resolution and high stretchability, with the strong binding to the substrate.

The protocol presented in this research combines marriage of stretchable materials and microfluidic channels, enabling a low-cost and rapid application method for producing high-resolution, stretchable electrons for soft robotic tactile sensing applications.