Sanders, Thomas (2026) Towards the fabrication of PVDF-TrFE based flexible piezoelectric tactile sensors utilising a novel ultrasonic spray coating system. Research Project, Industrial Engineering and Management.
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Abstract
This research explores the design, simulation, and fabrication of flexible piezoelectric tactile sensors utilising a piezoelectric layer that conforms to the complex shape of an elastomeric substrate. To enhance sensor sensitivity and triaxial force detection, three substrate geometries were designed with 3-by-3 microstructures (dome, pyramid, and truncated pyramid) and optimised for the utilisation of 3D printing techniques and direct deposition of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film using a novel Ultrasonic Spraying Coating (USC) method. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was employed to evaluate the mechanical and electrical performance of the three sensor geometries under various loading conditions. Simulation results demonstrated that the pyramid geometry achieved the highest normal force sensitivity (0.772 V/N) due to its small apex area and shape. Conversely, the truncated pyramid exhibited the largest electric potential of 14.46 V and a reaction force of 29.27 N at a vertical displacement of 100 µm, nearly triple the output of the other geometries, due to its larger effective contact area. Furthermore, varying simulation studies provided new insights into modelling complex-shaped piezoelectric sensors and their electromechanical behaviour. The experimental phase investigated substrate fabrication utilising stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, both through mould-casting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and direct printing with an elastomeric resin. While USC was proposed for PVDF deposition, initial trials encountered significant interfacial adhesion failures between the PVDF film and low surface energy elastomeric substrates. Various methods to enhance adhesion were investigated and experimentally tested, including UV/Ozone treatment and a PDMS/PVDF interfacial layer, which provided insights into the limitations of silicone-based substrates. Initial results from sequential electrode and PVDF deposition are encouraging and, supported by literature recommendations, justify further development and future research. While complete fabrication of the proposed sensor was not achieved, the findings provide new insights towards the fabrication of complex-shaped flexible piezoelectric tactile sensors for e-skin applications.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Project) |
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| Supervisor name: | Acuautla Meneses, M.I. and Younas, N. and Jabri, M. |
| Degree programme: | Industrial Engineering and Management |
| Thesis type: | Research Project |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Apr 2026 14:01 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Apr 2026 14:01 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/37280 |
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