Electromechanical Behavior of Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays for Bio-inspired Fluid Flow Sensors

Hierarchical carbon fibers show potential as a bio-inspired fluid flow sensor. The sensor is inspired from bat wings, which have thousands of micro-scale hairs that are deflected due to the flow and are believed to feedback flow information through force sensitive cells. Radially aligned carbon nanotube arrays on carbon fiber could function as the transducer in a similar device by decreasing resistance with the application of compressive strain. The bio-inspired flow sensor is first modeled to determine the compliance of the fiber and strains applied to the carbon nanotube arrays. Vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays are then prepared on planar conductive substrates through transfer from insulating Si wafers; which simplifies the analysis of the mechanical properties of the material. The electromechanical material properties are measured by a modified dynamic mechanical analyzer. Results are presented along with recommendations for the next phase of electromechanical property evaluation.