Development of SWCNTs/PDMS Composite Strain Sensors Integrated Smart Glove for Human-Machine Interface Applications

Smart gloves with their multifunctional sensing capabilities, hold a promising in human-machine interface (HMI) applications. In this work, we present a smart glove based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) incorporated within a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix integrated flexible strain sensor. The flexible strain sensor is designed and fabricated to serve as a crucial sensing component for the smart glove. The integration of SWCNTs with PDMS offers a unique combination of mechanical flexibility and electrical sensitivity, making it an ideal candidate for real-time monitoring and feedback in HMI applications. The fabricated SWCNTs/PDMS strain exhibits a high sensing range, covering up to a strain range of 70%, along with high sensitivity, characterized by a gauge factor (GF) of 73. Additionally, the strain sensor demonstrates excellent linearity, reliability, and durability, enduring repeated loading and unloading for 3000 cycles under a 50% strain. Furthermore, the developed smart glove successfully extends sensing functionality, enabling real time-tasks such as finger motion detection, controlling robotic fingers and can be used in the field of smart wearable electronics and HMI applications.