Investigation of Contact Surface Changes and Sensor Response of a Pressure-Sensitive Conductive Elastomer

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This study reports a pressure sensor obtained with a conductive elastomer that contains silicone rubber, carbon particle, aluminium oxide particle, silicone elastomer powders, silicone resin powders and dentall. The structural characterization of the elastomer were examined with SEM, EDX map and optical microscope. The proposed elestomer pressure sensor were investigated depending on external pressure, contact area and using conductive grease. The paper is interesting and well organized. Some minor revisions and editing are suggested:

 

1. Please explain the sensing mechanism of your resistive pressure sensor clearly. Which properties of the elastomer material change during the pressure change and how this change affects the resistance?
2. Contact area dependence measurements is not clear. Please explain. What is the relationship between the black spots in microscope photographs and the contact area in figure 7?
3. The shape change in the elastomer during the pressure increase is important. Is there a relationship between the applied pressure and the change in the dimensions of the elastomer? Please explain.
4. The authors writes that conductive elastomer contains silicone rubber, carbon particle, aluminium oxide particle, silicone elastomer powders, silicone resin powders and dentall. But there is not any information about the ratio of these materials and fabrication conditions such as method, temperature, … etc.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper delves into an analysis of the impact of contact surface characteristics and sensor response in the context of conductive elastomers. Expanding the contact area has been found to enhance conductance, and the application of conductive grease has demonstrated a significant reduction in contact resistance. Nevertheless, there are a few issues to address prior to publication:

 

On page 6, line 205, please provide information regarding the volume of conductive grease applied. Furthermore, it is crucial to assess whether the volume or content of the conductive grease has any effect on the measurement of the resistance of the conductive elastomer.

 

Regarding Figure 6, could you please elucidate the experimental procedure? I assume that you adjusted the pressure and recorded resistance readings once it stabilized. If my assumption is accurate, it raises the question of why the values at the maximum pressure of 550 kPa differ between the decrease and increase processes with/without grease. Furthermore, it's worth noting that the initial and final pressure levels in Figure 6 seem to vary across these four experiments.

 

Please discuss the impact of Poisson ratio when pressing the elastomer.

 

When investigating “Relationship between conductance of conductive elastomer and change in contact area”, did the author apply the grease? Please illustrate it.

 

Typically, conductance (G) is defined as the reciprocal of resistance (1/R), and resistance is inversely related to the cross-sectional area. The findings presented in the paper appear to be straightforward. It would be valuable for the author to elucidate the innovative aspects of this research.

 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript looks good! I would recommend accepting it as long as the authors addressed the following comments:

1. page 2, section 2.1 material selection: the authors mentioned the commercial conductive elastomer as "conductive elastomer composite" and "it is a good insulator". It is very confusing. Please clarify it in the manuscript.

2. For the conductive grease, please provide more information in the experimental part. Does it need curing after the application?

Comments on the Quality of English Language

good

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The pressure sensor made using conductive elastomers has been studied over the past years. It is well known that the sensor response of the conductive elastomers is influenced by both internal changes within the elastomer and alterations in the contact surface area. The authors have demonstrated these physical properties for commercial elastomers through experimental work to confirm the observation of property variations under loading. This reviewer recommends that the authors conduct further studies before publication. This research could involve designing a new sensor and applying it to this case study, or modifying the materials to obtain improved properties of elastomers.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

NIL

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

No further questions from this reviewer, recommend to be published after language edited. Thanks

Comments on the Quality of English Language

NIL