Porous dielectric design for high-performance flexible shear sensors

Abstract Flexible sensors, renowned for their exceptional adaptability, are widely utilized in areas such as robotics and healthcare monitoring. Currently, understanding the relationship between the structure and performance of flexible shear sensors has become increasingly important. In this study, the structural characteristics of porous flexible shear sensors and their impact on performance were analyzed using Finite Element Method (FEM). The investigation focused on three factors: porosity, pore size, and the shape of elliptical pores. The findings suggest that augmenting the porosity substantially boosts the shear sensitivity of the sensor, whereas the pore size exerts a relatively minor influence on sensitivity. Furthermore, compared to circular ones, elliptical pores can further increase the shear sensitivity of the sensor, particularly when the ellipse’s major axis is oriented horizontally. These findings are of significant reference value for designing and optimizing high-performance flexible shear sensors.