Research Symposium

BIO

Hello, my name is Warner Ducheine, I am a 2nd year Electrical Engineering student and I am from Orlando, Florida. For the past few months I have been working at the High Performance Materials Institute under Dr. Richard Liang, I hope to purse a PhD in material science.

Capabilities of Carbon Nanotube-Based Architectures as a Resistive Sensor

Abstract

The unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them promising candidates for next-generation force-sensing technologies. Their mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and low density enable reliable performance under extreme mechanical loads and high temperatures. Most modern sensors are constructed using semiconductor or metal-based materials; however, these materials are often fragile and can display imprecise readings. In this study, force sensors were fabricated using two distinct multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) form factors: carbon nanotube yarn and buckypaper thin films. Both configurations reacted to an applied force with a measurable change in resistance. CNT buckypaper is low-profile and lightweight, demonstrating a gauge factor (sensitivity) greater than 16 along with a broad strain range, making it well suited for structural health monitoring. CNT yarns, with dimensions of 20x400 microns, are minimally invasive and can be easily woven into composites without compromising their integrity. Our findings outline the methods of manufacturing and the testing procedure that evaluates the capabilities of CNTs as sensor materials, demonstrating their enhanced electromechanical response and structural robustness. These results support their potential for advanced sensing applications in high-stress environments.

Keywords: Carbon Nanotube Sensor