Nov 30 2010
Kuraray has devised a novel film polymer sensor that can produce voltage while it is bent. The voltage fluctuations are based on the bending degree. The output is kept uniform, when bent. The sensor does not demand current supply.
Film polymer sensor
The company anticipates the utility of this unique sensor in medical equipments and in other input systems. The company expects the market value for the sensor to nearly ¥100 billion annually throughout the world.
The polymer substance used in this sensor has been developed by implementing Kuraray's technologies for fabrication and synthesize of polymer molecules. This offers intense sensitivity and processability, and the size and the shape of the sensor can be varied based on the purpose and needed voltage value. The sensor identifies the bending angle, and this property is utilized for identifying the variations in motion and distortions in an object.
Kuraray aims to market the sensor in input devices and health monitoring applications. For health monitoring applications, the sensor can be directly fixed to human bodies, and can be embedded within clothes for rehabilitation, nursing care, preventive medical care, and sports applications.
In input devices the sensor can be regulated by twisting and bending them for use in flexible switches for application in electronic devices, games, toys, and automotive electrical components.
Apart from all these operations, by aligning various sensors in a matrix, the shapes of the variations in any object can be identified and their images can be produced. These sensors can thus be deployed for capturing movements, and pliable sensors fixed to the periphery of robots, adds Kuraray.
Source: http://www.kuraray.co.jp