Flexible Pressure Sensor Research:
Multi-Resolution Sensing Inspired by Human Skin | Kitronyx MC1600
Are you developing a new pressure sensor?
If so, how can you determine where contact occurs and visualize how the sensor responds across its sensing area?
This article introduces a study on a flexible pressure sensor designed to reproduce different levels of tactile spatial resolution found in human skin. In the study, Kitronyx MC1600 was used to acquire signals from the developed sensor, and the acquired data were used to visualize spatial pressure distribution.
Paper Reference
Kim, H.; Choi, S.; Lee, B.; Seo, J.; Lee, S.; Yoon, J.; Hong, Y.
“Nonpatterned Soft Piezoresistive Films with Filamentous Conduction Paths for Mimicking Multiple-Resolution Receptors of Human Skin.”
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2022, 14(49), 55088–55097.
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c16929
Research at a Glance
The study developed a flexible pressure-sensing platform capable of providing different spatial resolutions within a single sensor structure and evaluated its response under various contact conditions.
| Category | Details |
| Research Area | Flexible pressure sensors, electronic skin, tactile sensors |
| Main Research Topic | Multiple spatial resolutions using a single flexible pressure-sensing platform |
| Key Demonstrations | Character patterns, Braille, liquid droplets, walking, and jogging |
| Kitronyx Product Used | MC1600 controller |
| Role of MC1600 | Multi-channel sensor signal acquisition for pressure distribution visualization |
▲ Overview of the referenced study (Kim et al., 2022).
Why Was a Multi-Resolution Flexible Pressure Sensor Developed?
The researchers developed a flexible pressure-sensing platform that could reproduce different levels of tactile spatial resolution within a single sensor structure.
Human skin does not have the same tactile resolution across the entire body. Areas such as the fingertips have a higher density of pressure-sensing receptors and can distinguish finer contact, while other areas detect contact at a lower spatial resolution.
Conventional approaches to flexible pressure sensors often require sensing materials and readout electrodes to be patterned according to a specific sensor density. This makes it difficult to adjust spatial resolution using a single sensor platform.
To address this limitation, the researchers developed a piezoresistive sensing platform based on anisotropically aligned nickel particles embedded in an elastomer matrix. By combining the pressure-sensitive film with electrodes of different pitches, different spatial resolutions could be implemented using the same sensing platform.
The study reported a spatial resolution of up to 100 dpi from a single platform.
How Was Kitronyx MC1600 Used in the Research?
Kitronyx MC1600 was used to acquire signals from the flexible pressure sensor, and the acquired data were used to visualize its spatial response.
During the evaluation process, the researchers connected the developed sensor to the Kitronyx MC1600 controller to acquire signals from multiple sensing points.
The paper reports that the anisotropically aligned nickel particles form independent filamentous conductive paths, enabling spatial sensing without crosstalk. This crosstalk-free sensing characteristic originates from the structure of the sensor developed in the study.
MC1600 served as the signal acquisition controller, allowing the responses from multiple sensing points to be collected for subsequent visualization and analysis.
Measurement Process
Pressure is applied to the flexible sensor.
Sensing points respond according to the location and condition of contact.
MC1600 acquires signals from multiple sensing points.
The electrical responses generated by the sensor are collected through the controller.
The acquired data are visualized as spatial pressure distribution information.
Researchers can evaluate the location, shape, and distribution of contact across the sensing area.
This configuration allowed the researchers to evaluate the spatial response of the newly developed sensor under different experimental conditions.
* Product Note
The MC1600 used in this study has been discontinued. Kitronyx currently offers the Baikal II series for pressure mapping applications.
What Did the Flexible Pressure Sensor Demonstrate?
The developed sensor was evaluated across a wide range of pressure levels and demonstrated variable spatial resolution for different sensing applications.
According to the study, the sensor platform achieved a spatial resolution of up to 100 dpi. It was capable of detecting pressure levels ranging from approximately 30 Pa for liquid droplets to approximately 300 kPa for plantar pressure.
The aligned Ni/PDMS pressure sensor was also reported to have a working range of up to 373 kPa, with a response time of approximately 12 ms and a recovery time of approximately 20 ms. The Supporting Information also includes cyclic testing over 2,000 compression cycles.
Test Item | Reported Result |
Maximum Spatial Resolution | Up to 100 dpi |
Working Pressure Range | Up to 373 kPa |
Response Time | Approximately 12 ms |
Recovery Time | Approximately 20 ms |
Cyclic Test | 2,000 compression cycles |
Example of Low-Pressure Detection | Liquid droplets at approximately 30 Pa |
Example of High-Pressure Detection | Plantar pressure at approximately 300 kPa |
▲ Performance of the flexible pressure sensor reported in Kim et al. (2022).
The values above describe the performance of the flexible pressure sensor developed by the researchers. They are not specifications of the Kitronyx MC1600 controller.
The spatial response of the sensor was acquired using Kitronyx MC1600 and visualized for various experimental conditions.
The researchers were able to distinguish Braille patterns and observe changes in the spatial response as liquid droplets spread and evaporated. The sensor was also evaluated under plantar-pressure conditions, including walking and jogging, to observe differences in contact patterns.
What Does This Research Show About Pressure Mapping?
This study provides an example of how multi-channel signal acquisition and pressure distribution visualization can support the evaluation of newly developed flexible pressure sensors.
When developing a new pressure-sensitive material or sensor array, individual electrical measurements alone may not fully reveal how the sensor responds across its entire sensing area.
Visualizing the spatial response makes it possible to examine where contact occurs and how the response is distributed across multiple sensing points.
In this study, MC1600 was used to acquire signals from the newly developed sensor, allowing the researchers to analyze different contact shapes and conditions as spatial data.
This type of pressure mapping approach can be applied when evaluating:
Flexible pressure sensors
Electronic skin
Robotic tactile sensors
Wearable sensing devices
Custom-developed sensor materials
Matrix-type tactile sensors
Conclusion
This study developed a flexible pressure-sensing platform capable of providing different spatial resolutions within a single sensor structure. The researchers evaluated the sensor using various contact conditions, including character patterns, Braille, liquid droplets, and plantar-pressure measurements.
Kitronyx MC1600 was used to acquire signals from the sensor developed by the researchers, and the acquired data were used to visualize contact location and spatial pressure distribution.
The study provides an example of how multi-channel signal acquisition and pressure mapping can be used to evaluate newly developed tactile sensors and sensing materials.
For researchers and engineers developing pressure sensors, spatial pressure visualization can provide additional information beyond individual electrical signals and help evaluate how a sensor responds across its sensing area.
Explore Kitronyx Pressure Mapping Solutions
Kitronyx Pressure Mapping Systems can visualize contact location and pressure distribution in real time and can also be used to evaluate the pressure distribution of custom-developed sensors.
> > Contact Kitronyx for product or application inquiries
Flexible Pressure Sensor Research:
Multi-Resolution Sensing Inspired by Human Skin | Kitronyx MC1600
Are you developing a new pressure sensor?
If so, how can you determine where contact occurs and visualize how the sensor responds across its sensing area?
This article introduces a study on a flexible pressure sensor designed to reproduce different levels of tactile spatial resolution found in human skin. In the study, Kitronyx MC1600 was used to acquire signals from the developed sensor, and the acquired data were used to visualize spatial pressure distribution.
Paper Reference
Kim, H.; Choi, S.; Lee, B.; Seo, J.; Lee, S.; Yoon, J.; Hong, Y.
“Nonpatterned Soft Piezoresistive Films with Filamentous Conduction Paths for Mimicking Multiple-Resolution Receptors of Human Skin.”
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2022, 14(49), 55088–55097.
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c16929
Research at a Glance
The study developed a flexible pressure-sensing platform capable of providing different spatial resolutions within a single sensor structure and evaluated its response under various contact conditions.
▲ Overview of the referenced study (Kim et al., 2022).
Why Was a Multi-Resolution Flexible Pressure Sensor Developed?
The researchers developed a flexible pressure-sensing platform that could reproduce different levels of tactile spatial resolution within a single sensor structure.
Human skin does not have the same tactile resolution across the entire body. Areas such as the fingertips have a higher density of pressure-sensing receptors and can distinguish finer contact, while other areas detect contact at a lower spatial resolution.
Conventional approaches to flexible pressure sensors often require sensing materials and readout electrodes to be patterned according to a specific sensor density. This makes it difficult to adjust spatial resolution using a single sensor platform.
To address this limitation, the researchers developed a piezoresistive sensing platform based on anisotropically aligned nickel particles embedded in an elastomer matrix. By combining the pressure-sensitive film with electrodes of different pitches, different spatial resolutions could be implemented using the same sensing platform.
The study reported a spatial resolution of up to 100 dpi from a single platform.
How Was Kitronyx MC1600 Used in the Research?
Kitronyx MC1600 was used to acquire signals from the flexible pressure sensor, and the acquired data were used to visualize its spatial response.
During the evaluation process, the researchers connected the developed sensor to the Kitronyx MC1600 controller to acquire signals from multiple sensing points.
The paper reports that the anisotropically aligned nickel particles form independent filamentous conductive paths, enabling spatial sensing without crosstalk. This crosstalk-free sensing characteristic originates from the structure of the sensor developed in the study.
MC1600 served as the signal acquisition controller, allowing the responses from multiple sensing points to be collected for subsequent visualization and analysis.
Measurement Process
Pressure is applied to the flexible sensor.
Sensing points respond according to the location and condition of contact.
MC1600 acquires signals from multiple sensing points.
The electrical responses generated by the sensor are collected through the controller.
The acquired data are visualized as spatial pressure distribution information.
Researchers can evaluate the location, shape, and distribution of contact across the sensing area.
This configuration allowed the researchers to evaluate the spatial response of the newly developed sensor under different experimental conditions.
* Product Note
The MC1600 used in this study has been discontinued. Kitronyx currently offers the Baikal II series for pressure mapping applications.
What Did the Flexible Pressure Sensor Demonstrate?
The developed sensor was evaluated across a wide range of pressure levels and demonstrated variable spatial resolution for different sensing applications.
According to the study, the sensor platform achieved a spatial resolution of up to 100 dpi. It was capable of detecting pressure levels ranging from approximately 30 Pa for liquid droplets to approximately 300 kPa for plantar pressure.
The aligned Ni/PDMS pressure sensor was also reported to have a working range of up to 373 kPa, with a response time of approximately 12 ms and a recovery time of approximately 20 ms. The Supporting Information also includes cyclic testing over 2,000 compression cycles.
Test Item
Reported Result
Maximum Spatial Resolution
Up to 100 dpi
Working Pressure Range
Up to 373 kPa
Response Time
Approximately 12 ms
Recovery Time
Approximately 20 ms
Cyclic Test
2,000 compression cycles
Example of Low-Pressure Detection
Liquid droplets at approximately 30 Pa
Example of High-Pressure Detection
Plantar pressure at approximately 300 kPa
▲ Performance of the flexible pressure sensor reported in Kim et al. (2022).
The values above describe the performance of the flexible pressure sensor developed by the researchers. They are not specifications of the Kitronyx MC1600 controller.
The spatial response of the sensor was acquired using Kitronyx MC1600 and visualized for various experimental conditions.
The researchers were able to distinguish Braille patterns and observe changes in the spatial response as liquid droplets spread and evaporated. The sensor was also evaluated under plantar-pressure conditions, including walking and jogging, to observe differences in contact patterns.
What Does This Research Show About Pressure Mapping?
This study provides an example of how multi-channel signal acquisition and pressure distribution visualization can support the evaluation of newly developed flexible pressure sensors.
When developing a new pressure-sensitive material or sensor array, individual electrical measurements alone may not fully reveal how the sensor responds across its entire sensing area.
Visualizing the spatial response makes it possible to examine where contact occurs and how the response is distributed across multiple sensing points.
In this study, MC1600 was used to acquire signals from the newly developed sensor, allowing the researchers to analyze different contact shapes and conditions as spatial data.
This type of pressure mapping approach can be applied when evaluating:
Flexible pressure sensors
Electronic skin
Robotic tactile sensors
Wearable sensing devices
Custom-developed sensor materials
Matrix-type tactile sensors
Conclusion
This study developed a flexible pressure-sensing platform capable of providing different spatial resolutions within a single sensor structure. The researchers evaluated the sensor using various contact conditions, including character patterns, Braille, liquid droplets, and plantar-pressure measurements.
Kitronyx MC1600 was used to acquire signals from the sensor developed by the researchers, and the acquired data were used to visualize contact location and spatial pressure distribution.
The study provides an example of how multi-channel signal acquisition and pressure mapping can be used to evaluate newly developed tactile sensors and sensing materials.
For researchers and engineers developing pressure sensors, spatial pressure visualization can provide additional information beyond individual electrical signals and help evaluate how a sensor responds across its sensing area.
Explore Kitronyx Pressure Mapping Solutions
Kitronyx Pressure Mapping Systems can visualize contact location and pressure distribution in real time and can also be used to evaluate the pressure distribution of custom-developed sensors.
> > Contact Kitronyx for product or application inquiries