Stretchable and compressible strain sensors based on carbon nanotube meshes

Abstract

Flexible strain sensors have promising applications in healthcare and human movement detection. Herein, we report stretchable and compressible strain sensors based on carbon nanotube meshes (CNTMs) with unique structures consisting of macroscopic grids and microscopic spider-web networks. The stretchable strain sensor shows good reliability for long cyclic tests and can be used for weak stimuli and large motion detection. The compressible strain sensor also shows good reliability after long cyclic tests and can be used to detect large strains induced by walking or running motion. Both the stretchable and compressible CNTM strain sensors are reliable and stable at detecting large stretching and compressing deformation.