Sheath–Core Fiber Strain Sensors Driven by in-Situ Crack and Elastic Effects in Graphite Nanoplate Composites

Flexible
and stretchable electronics, e.g., graphite-nanoplatelet-based
(GNP-based) nanocomposite devices, have attracted great interest due
to their potential application in health care, robotics, and mechatronics
technology. However, the deficient sensors with manipulation of low
sensitivity, sluggish responsivity, sophisticated fabrication process,
and poor repeatability notoriously limit their industrial applications.
For an enhancement in the spontaneous sensitivity, flexibility, and
wearability in GNP-based strain sensors, in this report, synergistic
crack and elastic effect engineering is employed and in turn significantly
enhances the sensitivity with a gauge factor of 20 at a strain of
30% and the stability in our developed sheath–core fiber (SCF)
strain sensors. Upon reliable device integration, it is demonstrated
that the developed SCF strain sensor could detect the movement of
a human joint effectively with generating a resistance change rate
ΔR/R0 up to 600%.
Furthermore, a controlling device system based on the SCF strain sensor
has been manufactured at the circuit level to realize the real-time
control of a robot hand, such as copying gestures and playing piano.