EGaIn Sensors

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. 

Some of the information contained in this web site includes intellectual property covered by both issued and pending patent applications. It is intended solely for research, educational and scholarly purposes by not-for-profit research organizations. If you have interest in specific technologies for commercial applications, please contact us here.

Bibliography

Mengüç et al. (2013) Soft Wearable Motion Sensing Suit for Lower Limb Biomechanics Measurements.

Mengüç et al. (To appear in 2014) Wearable Soft Sensing Suit for Human Gait Measurement.

Miserez et al. (2008) The Transition from Stiff to Compliant Materials in Squid Beaks.

Muth et al. (2014) Embedded 3D Printing of Strain Sensors within Highly Stretchable Elastomers.

Vogt, D. M., Park, Y. L., & Wood, R. J. (2013). Design and Characterization of a Soft Multi-Axis Force Sensor Using Embedded Microfluidic Channels.

Contributors

Yiğit Mengüç