Droplet-Dispensed Graphene Oxide as Capacitive Sensing Elements for Flexible Pressure-Pulse Sensing Array

We report a novel flexible capacitive pressure-pulse sensor array developed by integrating droplet-dispensed graphene oxide (GO) sensing elements and flexible electronics. The utilization of droplet-dispensing technology enables the fabrication multiple capacitive sensing elements rapidly while producing sensitive pressure sensors with excellent repeatability. The dispensed droplet volume (GO aqueous dispersion) ranged from around 33.5 to 65.4 pL with diameter ranging from 40 to 50 μm. The size (i.e., footprint and dielectric material thickness) of a sensing element can be controlled by the total GO dispersed per droplet. The fabrication process and preliminary characterization of these GO capacitive sensors are discussed in this paper. Thus far, we have shown that these sensors have a sensitivity of ∼10⁻³ kPa⁻¹, with the relative permittivity of the dispensed GO being ∼6 (measured at a frequency of 600 kHz). We have also demonstrated that the printed sensing elements can be used for human wrist pulse sensing. Hence the technology described in this paper could potentially be used in wearable electronics for healthcare applications.