These sensors use liquid metal (eutectic Indium Gallium alloy, a.k.a. EGaIn) inside flexible microchannels. When stretched, the geometry of the channels changes resulting in a change of resistance. By measuring the change in resistance it is possible to calculate the strain (or amount of stretching).
This documentation set contains files and instructions to support the design, fabrication, modeling, and testing of a specific EGaIn Sensor. The main functional component of the sensor is a thin structure made of soft, hyperelastic silicone elastomer containing the microchannels. The thin elastomer is connected to a stiffer elastomer and hook-and-loop fasteners for easy attachment to external devices and components.
The main mode of measurement for these sensors is axial strain. When the sensor is stretched, the elastomer deforms, lengthening in the direction of stretch and contracting transversely. This in turn deforms the channels, changing the shape of the liquid metal “wire” which creates a measurable increase in resistance.
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