A novel laminate material for flexible sensor electronics
Nexipal Sense laminates (photo) consist of highly stretchable insulating and electrically conductive silicone rubber films. The laminate, a stack of film layers, jointly works as a flexible and stretchable capacitor. Pressure or flex movements change the electrical capacitance of the component. Different capacity states thus provide precise sensor signals for applications in medical technology, robotics and sports, and sets new standards for the development and application of flexible electronics. The silicone laminates typically consist of layers each with a film thickness of between 20 to 200 microns. The addition-curing silicone rubber laminates are characterized by their exceptional elasticity, dimensional stability and toughness. They are skin-friendly, biocompatible, UV-resistant and can withstand temperatures from –40 to 180°C. Even after millions of load cycles, they retain their high degree of recovery and elasticity, providing a major advantage over conventional materials. The structured layers — consisting of specially developed electrically conductive silicones — are composed using digital laser-printing techniques. With a resulting pixel size of just 100 microns, very fine electrode geometries are possible. Hall 6, Stand A10 — Wacker Chemie AG, Munich, Germany