HIPIMS Metal Coatings for Stretchable Heartbeat Sensing
(Room Room 104-C)
30 Apr 19
9:20 AM
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9:40 AM
Tracks:
Enabling Sustainability — NexGen Tech for Coatings, Surface Engineering and Smart Manufacturing
For purpose of miniaturization in health-care wearable device, bioinformatics are becoming considered by detection through skin-type sensors (or known as epidermal electronic system, EES). Heartbeat pulse currently detected by optical methods (iWatch for example) is now being replaced by piezo devices, which requires complicated patterning and multi-electrode structure. In this study, a skin-type strain sensor was prepared by using high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) for depositing strongly adhered Cu-Zn coatings on the stretchable polyurethane (PU) substrate, followed by laser patterning for heartbeat sensor application. The microstrain brought by heartbeat causes repeated cracking and healing of the Cu-Zn film and electrical resistance change. Sensitivity and durability of the heartbeat sensor were investigated. A mini control board LinKIT™ 7697 was utilized to connect with the strain sensor for transmitting the ADC value to the Android mobile phone to see how the sensor work. Experimental results of the sensor testing by using precision current-voltage analyzer show that high sensitivity and stability of the strain sensor can be achieved when the sensor is attached onto the wrist. On the other hand, the sensor signal obviously associates with breath when it is attached onto left chest and carotid artery. Field test of the sensor by using LinKIT™ 7697 result in reliable heartbeat value output to the Android mobile phone.