Joint research by the research teams of YU Professor Choi Jung-wook and Yonsei University Professor Kim Jong-baek
Production of transparent and flexible touch sensor that accurately recognizes the location and size of multiple pressures
Published on the cover of the latest SCI academic journal in the new materials field
[February 1, 2018]
<Cover of the academic journal ‘Advanced Electronic Materials’ (right) in which the research paper of School of Mechanical Engineering Professor Choi Jung-wook (left) was published as the cover paper>
YU School of Mechanical Engineering Professor Choi Jung-wook (34) succeeded in developing a highly sensitive touch sensor that could be applied in multiple touch screens and next-generation wearable devices.
With the recent growth in interest on Internet of Things (IoT), there has been an increase in demand for various sensor technologies. In particular, research on touch sensors are being actively carried out to be used in next-generation wearable devices and touch screens used in mobile phones, tablet PCs, etc.
In this research conducted jointly with Professor Kim Jong-baek’s team from Yonsei University, Professor Choi developed a transparent and flexible sensor that can measure pressure from various points. Unlike multi-touch sensors of the past, it can recognize the size and location of pressures applied in various points precisely.
Professor Choi explained, “In past research, electrodes, which are the main components of touch sensors, were made of non-transparent or easily breaking materials such as metals or indium oxide compounds, making it difficult to use for flexible sensors. In addition, it is necessary to measure the size and location of pressure applied for ideal multi-touch sensor recognition, and existing studies usually focus on improving sensitivity.” He added, “There was no research on transparent and flexible touch sensors that could accurately measure the location where pressure is applied. This study successfully produced transparent and flexible touch sensors using graphene electrode array integrated into the plastic board.”
The research results were published as the cover paper of the latest issue (Jan 10, 2018) of the globally acclaimed academic journal in the new material sector <Advanced Electronic Materials, (Impact Factor (IF) 4.193)>.
Professor Choi stated, “The sensor developed here is expected to be used not only in multi-touch screens, but also in wearable devices that are receiving attention as next-generation electronic devices. In addition, the entire production process of the sensor is done in a single process, so it has very high productivity and yield, and it will help with the distribution of practical elements based on carbon nano-materials.”
Professor Choi acquired his PhD in mechanical engineering at Yonsei University and completed his post-doctorate at Purdue University and has been serving as a professor at YU since 2016. His main field of research is micro and nano-electrical/mechanical systems, and his research mainly deals with ultra-small energy conversion materials using nano-materials, wearable electronic devices, sensors, and nano-compounds, etc.
