Artificial Skin Sensor Using 2D Electrical Impedance Tomography: The Sensitivity Volume Method

The sensitivity volume (SV) method for electrical impedance tomography allows for noninvasive, real-time electri-cal imaging using noise-robust resistance measurements. With the SV figure of merit, a set of highly sensitive measurements are optimized for the problem at hand. This method, applied to multi-walled carbon nanotube infused elastomers produces artificial skin sensors whose electrical readout is robust against wear and deformation. This work demonstrates an experimental implementation of the SV method for 2D tomography to demonstrate a 3 x 3 keypad sensor. The result exhibits high pattern fidelity, improved resolution, a minimal number of measurements, and high signal to noise.