Additive Manufacturing for Microfluidic and Wearable Sensor Systems
Bonnie Gray,
Professor of Engineering Science,
Simon Fraser University
We are surrounded by sensors in our daily lives. These (usually) small, inobtrusive devices constantly capture data about our environment, and what we see, hear, and do. Sensors form the foundation for analysis systems and are an integral part of every closed-form system. Many sensors seek to provide more continuity for health and well-being via constant monitoring of important health parameters. Similarly, other sensors seek to address the health of other systems, such as preventing failures in the power grid. Sensors as discrete components may be difficult to integrate into low-profile systems, such as textile-based systems, for development of smart clothing. These and other sensors systems could benefit from 3D printing or other additive manufacturing methods, via the integration of conventional printing materials with new functional (e.g., sensing or actuating) printed materials. Sensors could thus be easily tailored and printed to individual needs and more easily integrated with other printed components. This presentation focuses on development of wearable and other printed sensors that are designed directly on textiles, or fabricated using 3D printing methods for easier integration with fluidic housings. We discuss the current state-of-the-art, and present examples of integrated textile-based and printing-based sensors. We investigate how advances in flexible devices and systems (electronics, sensors, actuators, microfluidics) and additive manufacturing (e.g., printing) can be adapted to low-profile, non-obtrusive, and personalized sensor systems.
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