Strain-Amplifying Structural Features of Campaniform Sensillum-Inspired Strain Sensor: Design and Simulation

This paper presents a design of bio-inspired sensor for strain sensing application. The sensor will be used as embedded strain sensor to monitor and detect the strain deformation on the surrounding structure. The sensor is inspired from campaniform sensillum, a highly sensitive strain sensor found in insects. It consists of unique geometry parts that are sensitive to very small strain deformation from its surrounding. To investigate the relevant roles of structural features found in this campaniform sensillum-inspired strain sensor, four different structures were simulated: chip block structure, chip with through hole, chip block equipped with flat membrane-in-recess and chip block equipped with dome shape membrane. The mechanical behaviors are studied using ABAQUS finite element analysis. Sensor parameter such as structure indentation or displacement was simulated by compressing and stretching the structure axially in order to obtain its strain amplification characteristic.