journal article·2025-11

A Dual‐Helix Liquid Metal Tilt Sensor for High‐Precision and Multifunctional Applications

Guoqing Wang, Fei Zhan, Nan Li, Feifan Guo, Shuya Li, Xuedong Qiang, Min Mao, Jiacheng Zhu, Bowen Tian, Hongbin Zhao, Lei Wang

Small· Volume 21· Issue 45
Publisher page

Abstract

Abstract Traditional liquid metal (LM) tilt sensors face limitations in miniaturization and dynamic monitoring due to bulky designs and signal lag caused by high viscosity. To address these challenges, a dual‐helix LM tilt sensor that synergizes geometrically guided mass redistribution with oxide‐enhanced interfacial adhesion is presented. The sensor features helical microchannels fabricated via metal filament templating, facilitating gravity‐induced displacement of LM and periodic modulation of the conductive pathway. This design achieves high‐precision tilt detection from −90° to +90°, with an angular resolution of ≤0.5°, rapid response time (≈160 ms), and stable performance over 2000 operating cycles. Demonstrating versatility, the sensor is successfully applied to gesture‐based language encoding and surface topography scanning, underscoring its applicability in wearable electronics, robotic systems, and human–machine interaction platforms. This work provides a scalable framework for next‐generation tilt sensors with enhanced reliability and adaptability in dynamic environments.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Tactile and Sensory Interactions · Advanced Fiber Optic Sensors

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry Beijing Forestry University Beijing 100083 P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 P. R. China

Nantong Institute of Metrology and Measurement Jiangsu 226007 P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials for Intelligent Sensing GRINM Group Co., Ltd Beijing 100088 P. R. China

Funding

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

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