Saturday, December 12, 2009

Flexible and deformable robot skin using optical sensors

Array Waveguide Sensor

A flexible tactile sensor with embedded optical sensors have been developed by Jeroen Missinne and colleagues at CMST (Center for Microsystems Technology), Ghent University in Belgium



Motivation
  • Making a highly flexible and deformable artificial skin
“Most of the existing types of artificial skins are composed of electronic sensors on a rigid or in the best case a flexible substrate [2]. For several of the applications it is desired that the sensors are embedded in a highly deformable substrate, analogous to the human skin.” [1]

How it works [1, 2]
“The principle relies on the change in coupling between arrays of crossing waveguides: two layers of polymer waveguides are separated by a thin layer of soft silicone. When no pressure is applied, no crosstalk is detected. When pressure is increasing, the distance between the waveguides decreases and consequently power is transmitted from one to another.” [2]



Advantages
  • High resolution, robustness to electromagnetic interference, and high deformability
“A higher resolution can be achieved as it is not limited by the electric interconnections. Optical sensors are also not subject to electromagnetic interference, they allow parallel readout and are resistant to harsh environments.” [1]

Further Readings

References
[1] J. Missinne and B. Van Hoe, "An array waveguide sensor for artificial optical skins," 2009. http://users.elis.ugent.be/~pbertels/zijspoor/phd/2008_a071.pdf
[2] G. V. Steenberge, J. Missinne, B. V. Hoe, K. V. Coillie, J. Vanfleteren, and P. V. Daele, "Array Waveguide Sensor." https://biblio.ugent.be/input/download?func=downloadFile&fileOId=665542
[3] B. V. Hoe, "Phosfos embedding technology for integrated sensing solutions," Concertation Meeting Photonics Enabled Applications, September 11th 2009. ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/fp7/ict/docs/photonics/20090910-concertation-meeting-phosfos_en.pdf

Via NewScientist, ACM TechNews, and Zopag

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