Large-Area All-Textile Pressure Sensors for Monitoring Human Motion and Physiological Signals

Abstract

Wearable pressure sensors, which can perceive and respond to environmental stimuli, are essential components of smart textiles. Here, large-area all-textile-based pressure-sensor arrays are successfully realized on common fabric substrates. The textile sensor unit achieves high sensitivity (14.4 kPa⁻¹), low detection limit (2 Pa), fast response (≈24 ms), low power consumption (<6 µW), and mechanical stability under harsh deformations. Thanks to these merits, the textile sensor is demonstrated to be able to recognize finger movement, hand gestures, acoustic vibrations, and real-time pulse wave. Furthermore, large-area sensor arrays are successfully fabricated on one textile substrate to spatially map tactile stimuli and can be directly incorporated into a fabric garment for stylish designs without sacrifice of comfort, suggesting great potential in smart textiles or wearable electronics.

Large-area all-textile pressure-sensor arrays are successfully fabricated on a woven fabric substrate for monitoring human motion and personal healthcare. High sensitivity, excellent mechanical flexibility, low detection limit, and power consumption are achieved for applications in wearable electronics or smart textiles.

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