Design of a piezoelectric based tactile sensor with bio-inspired micro/nano-pillars

The sensing capability of PVDF piezoelectric film integrated with PDMS polymer vertical fiber array has been analyzed using finite element method. The fiber structure on the foot of the gecko, spiders and other insects gives inspiration to design of tactile sensors made out of synthetic fibrillar structures. A vertical array of synthetic polymer fiber is integrated to piezoelectric film to mimic tactile sensing nature of such animals. The contribution of the pillars to the output voltage, the dimensional parameters and surface adaptation capability are examined for a satisfactory design that can meet the spatial resolution of the human hand.

► Array of pillars are designed to obtain spatial pressure distribution.
► Proposed design allows to approach the spatial resolution of the human hand.
► Sensing capabilities of PDMS fibers integrated with a PVDF backing layer is analyzed.
► Optimal manufacturing parameters for active inspired fibrillar structure are obtained.
► Patterning the PDMS layer yields higher voltage difference at piezofilm.