Hydrogel resonators integrated with piezoresistors

Various hydrogel membrane resonators will be fabricated with hydrogels exhibiting different molecular weights and structures along with varying concentrations of the photoinitiator and ultraviolet doses. Then, resonance sensitivity of fabricated hydrogel membranes will be investigated with optical and electrical readout techniques. Using the dynamic mask, various hydrogel membrane resonators with different sizes and shapes will be rapidly fabricated and their sensitivities will be investigated. Once an optimum design is found, the design will be efficiently mass-produced. Initially, gold piezoresistors will be introduced into the hydrogel membrane resonators to read out their resonance signals. Then various 2D materials which show piezoresistivity will be explored and implemented into our hydrogel membrane resonators. Using the hydrogel membrane resonators which are mechanically and electrically optimized, various gas/vapour sensing experiments could be performed in the future.

Faculty Supervisor:

Seonghwan Kim

Student:

Partner:

Sogang University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Globalink Research Award