Printed Stretchable Strain Sensor with Post-Model Reconfiguration for Sensing Customization

Device fabrication through direct printing methods presents substantial advantages for uniform production. These devices have broad applications, including wearables, robotics, and biomedicines. Nevertheless, a common challenge in printed devices is their integration with a substrate, limiting customization after production. This study introduces a printed sensor featuring substrate isolation for customization after batch production. By isolating the device from the substrate, the sensor can be reconfigured for specific sensing subjects through adjustments in length or transfer to 3D formats. The EHD printing process is employed for fabrication, ensuring stable high-viscosity ink ejection via a high electrical bias between the nozzle and substrate. Additionally, this process eliminates the need for a separate poling process for the piezoelectric material, which is utilized for the device. Notably, this sensor exhibits a stretchability of up to 100%. Furthermore, the sensor is applied as a wearable and implantable biosensor for monitoring cardiac and muscle movements. This innovative approach aligns with the concept of stretchable sensors produced through machine-assisted printing techniques, addressing limitations associated with substrate-bound printed sensor systems.