Pressure sensing of liquid metal-based fiber arrays

The GaIn based room temperature liquid metal (LM) is a potential material for sensing applications due to its good fluidity and excellent conductivity. The change in volume or shape substantially modifies the LM electrical properties, especially in the case of limited volume. In this study, we coated LM on fiber arrays to establish a relationship between external stress and the electrical signal. The external force applied to the flexible fibers induces their deformation, changing the electrical signal. We recorded this change experimentally and established the relationship between the stress and the electrical signal. The sensitivity can be adjusted by the elastic module and length of fibers. Fiber arrays of different lengths may cover a wide range of stress values. This novel design has potential applications in the fields of sensing and stretchable electronics.