Manufacturing Technology of Nanocomposite Material From Carbon Nanotubes in a Polymer Matrix for Biological Tissues Strain Gauges

Abstract

Currently, there is an interest in the development of flexible strain gauges that can be attached to human body for movements detection in postoperative period, during rehabilitation after injuries and strokes, etc. Such gauges usually consist of a polymer matrix and electrically conductive filler. In this work, manufacturing technology of strain-sensitive nanocomposite material consisting of biocompatible polymer (silicone) matrix and carbon nanotubes filler has been developed. Electrically conductive carbon nanotubes networks in non-conductive polymer matrix were obtained, high electrical conductivity of the material (∼0.1 S/m) was achieved. Network architecture was built using pulsed ytterbium laser, operating at wavelength 1064 nm. Production of two types of strain gauge elements with strain gage coefficient 4-6 using technology is shown. Developed technology opens up broad prospects for production of various biomedical strain gauges.