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Development of Polyimide-based Flexible Tactile Sensing Skin
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Development of Polyimide-based Flexible Tactile Sensing Skin

Jonathan Engel, Jack Chen, Chang Liu, Bruce R Flachsbart, John C Selby and Mark A Shannon
MRS proceedings, Vol.736, pp.165-170
2002
DOI: 10.1557/PROC-736-D4.5

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Abstract

We present a novel microfabrication process for realizing a new type of flexible sensory “smart skin”. In this work, we focus on demonstration of a skin containing a two dimensional array of tactile sensors using polyimide and metal strain gauges. A novel polymer microfabrication approach coupled with surface release methods is demonstrated. The process yields flexible sensory skins in a low cost, efficient manner. Experimental characterization of the devices is also presented. The demonstrated sensors use metal-film strain gauges in a multiplexed two-dimensional array of tactile pixels (taxels) embedded in a polyimide thin film membrane to detect force distribution on the flexible skin. The arrays have been used to image force distributions and could be used with slip-detection friction measurement for robotic gripping application.

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