Multifunctional stretchable sensor for detecting flow, strain and temperature

Epidermal stimuli induced by human physiology and human motion, such as skin surface flow, mechanical strain, and temperature, provide valuable information for health and physiological monitoring. Here, we propose a multifunctional stretchable sensor based on thermosensation, enabling multi-sensations of flow, strain and temperature. We develop a simple and low-cost ink printing technique using homemade Ag-Ecoflex composite ink to fabricate thermosensitive ribbons on Ecoflex substrate to form the stretchable sensor. Low cross-coupling among multiple sensations is implemented by using scheme of concentric annular thermosensitive ribbons, constant temperature difference (CTD) circuit and adaptive filter. The stretchable sensor possesses merits of high integration, simple fabrication and low cost. The sensor has promising potentials in applications of wearable healthcare and human motion monitoring.