Thermoresistive Profile Sensing Based on Isotropic Strain Detection With Taiji Pattern Routing

This research proposed a novel Taiji pattern enclosed in a thermoresistor routing, which took the advantage of Joule heating to visualize strain type, extent, orientation, and distribution, through thermal images. By applying an appropriate power (voltage or current), the sensor was also capable of decoupling the serial connection of tension and compression with a preliminarily built relationship between temperature and strain. The Taiji pattern avoided conventional limitation on the orientation of strain gauges, providing isotropic detection freedom; and tunable sensitivity was achieved by modulating the detection duration, which provided operation flexibility for the first time. Simulations were also conducted to evaluate the performances before experimental evidences (spatial and strain resolution of
$125 ~\mu \text{m}$
and 0.00417%, respectively) were demonstrated in this work. Three-dimensional (3-D) printed workpieces with various tensile and compressive shapes were utilized to emulate the real-time strains. The results validated the effectiveness and versatility of the proposed sensor and sensing system and exhibited comprehensive insights into potential applications.