Nanotip-induced ultrahigh pressure-sensitive composites: Principles, properties and applications

Spiky spherical nickel powders with sharp nanotips on their surface are excellent fillers for developing pressure-sensitive composites. The sharp nano-tips are responsible for generating field-assisted tunneling conduction, which leads to the strong responses of electrical conductivity of the composites to external force or deformation. The nanotip-induced ultrahigh pressure-sensitive composites can be used to develop new sensors, switches and controls for a wide range of applications including electronics, transport, space, medicine, defense, textiles, oil and gas, and civil engineering. In this paper, we examine a systematical review of research progress on the nanotip-induced ultrahigh pressure-sensitive composites, with attentions to mechanism of pressure-sensitivity, sensing performances, and applications of the composites. Future challenges in the development and application of the nanotip-induced ultrahigh pressure-sensitive composites are also discussed.