Wearable Strain Sensor Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on Different Fabrics

Wearable sensors, as the name indicates, are sensors attached directly to the body in order to monitor certain parameters by detecting human body motions. They find widespread applications in continuous monitoring of various parameters. In particular, the wearable strain sensor has been fabricated using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). MWCNT were synthesized by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and characterisation was done for morphology, optical and tensile strength studies. MWCNT were coated on different types of fabrics such as nylon, polyester, silk and cotton using the doctor blade method. Silver contacts were coated on fabric to measure the strain sensors. The strain sensors were then investigated for impedance characteristics and piezoresistive properties by applying different loads. The results showed that the nylon fabric had excellent sensitivity and strain variation compared to other fabrics, followed by polyester, silk, and cotton.