Electromechanical polymer-based sensor

摘要

An electromechanical polymer (EMP) sensor includes (a) a first set of EMP layers provided between a first electrode and a second electrode forming a capacitor, the first set of EMP layers having one or more EMP layers capable of being activated by application of a voltage across the first and second electrodes; and (b) a sensing circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode for detecting a change in capacitance or a change in voltage across the first and second electrodes. The EMP sensor may further include means for disconnecting the second electrode from a ground reference after the pre-determined voltage is applied, such that the sensing circuit senses a change in capacitance. The sensing circuit may be capable of detecting a noise portion of a voltage across the first and second electrode.

主权项

1. An electromechanical polymer (EMP) sensor, comprising:
a first set of EMP layers provided between a first electrode and a second electrode forming a capacitor, the first set of EMP layers having one or more EMP layers capable of being activated by application of a voltage across the first and second electrodes; a voltage source; and a sensing circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode for applying a pre-determined voltage across the capacitor using the voltage source, disconnecting the voltage source from the capacitor thereafter in a manner such that one of the first and second electrodes becomes floating, and detecting a change in capacitance or a change in voltage across the first and second electrodes after disconnecting the voltage source.