Springer Theses: Flexible Oscillators and Electromechanical Sensing

Littlejohn, Samuel David

This thesis examines a novel class of flexible electronic material with great potential for use in the construction of stretchable amplifiers and memory elements.  Most remarkably the composite material produces spontaneous oscillations that increase in frequency when pressure is applied to it. In this way, the material mimics the excitatory response of pressure-sensing neurons in the human skin. The composites, formed of silicone and graphitic nanoparticles, were prepared in several allotropic forms and functionalized with naphthalene diimide molecules. A systematic study is presented of the negative differential resistance (NDR) region of the current-voltage curves, which is responsible for the material’s active properties. This study was conducted as a function of temperature, graphite filling fraction, scaling to reveal the break-up of the samples into electric field domains at the onset of the NDR region, and an electric-field induced metal-insulator transition in graphite nanoparticles. The effect of molecular functionalization on the miscibility threshold and the current-voltage curves is demonstrated. Room-temperature and low-temperature measurements were performed on these composite films under strains using a remote-controlled, custom-made step motor bench.

Details

Published by: Springer

Publication Date: 2016-08-23

Format: Paperback

ISBN-13: 9783319346175

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-00741-0

Dimensions: 235cm x155cm

Pages: 166