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      A Novel Physical Sensing Principle for Liquid Characterization Using Paper-Based Hygro-Mechanical Systems (PB-HMS)

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          Abstract

          In recent years paper-based microfluidic systems have emerged as versatile tools for developing sensors in different areas. In this work; we report a novel physical sensing principle for the characterization of liquids using a paper-based hygro-mechanical system (PB-HMS). The PB-HMS is formed by the interaction of liquid droplets and paper-based mini-structures such as cantilever beams. The proposed principle takes advantage of the hygroscopic properties of paper to produce hygro-mechanical motion. The dynamic response of the PB-HMS reveals information about the tested liquid that can be applied to characterize certain properties of liquids. A suggested method to characterize liquids by means of the proposed principle is introduced. The experimental results show the feasibility of such a method. It is expected that the proposed principle may be applied to sense properties of liquids in different applications where both disposability and portability are of extreme importance.

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          Most cited references23

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          Hygromorphs: from pine cones to biomimetic bilayers.

          We consider natural and artificial hygromorphs, objects that respond to environmental humidity by changing their shape. Using the pine cone as an example that opens when dried and closes when wet, we quantify the geometry, mechanics and dynamics of closure and opening at the cell, tissue and organ levels, building on our prior structural knowledge. A simple scaling theory allows us to quantify the hysteretic dynamics of opening and closing. We also show how simple bilayer hygromorphs of paper and polymer show similar behaviour that can be quantified via a theory which couples fluid transport in a porous medium and evaporative flux to mechanics and geometry. Our work unifies varied observations of natural hygromorphs and suggests interesting biomimetic analogues, which we illustrate using an artificial flower with a controllable blooming and closing response.
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            The hygroscopic behavior of plant fibers: a review

            Environmental concern has resulted in a renewed interest in bio-based materials. Among them, plant fibers are perceived as an environmentally friendly substitute to glass fibers for the reinforcement of composites, particularly in automotive engineering. Due to their wide availability, low cost, low density, high-specific mechanical properties, and eco-friendly image, they are increasingly being employed as reinforcements in polymer matrix composites. Indeed, their complex microstructure as a composite material makes plant fiber a really interesting and challenging subject to study. Research subjects about such fibers are abundant because there are always some issues to prevent their use at large scale (poor adhesion, variability, low thermal resistance, hydrophilic behavior). The choice of natural fibers rather than glass fibers as filler yields a change of the final properties of the composite. One of the most relevant differences between the two kinds of fiber is their response to humidity. Actually, glass fibers are considered as hydrophobic whereas plant fibers have a pronounced hydrophilic behavior. Composite materials are often submitted to variable climatic conditions during their lifetime, including unsteady hygroscopic conditions. However, in humid conditions, strong hydrophilic behavior of such reinforcing fibers leads to high level of moisture absorption in wet environments. This results in the structural modification of the fibers and an evolution of their mechanical properties together with the composites in which they are fitted in. Thereby, the understanding of these moisture absorption mechanisms as well as the influence of water on the final properties of these fibers and their composites is of great interest to get a better control of such new biomaterials. This is the topic of this review paper.
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              Paper-based piezoresistive MEMS sensors.

              This paper describes the development of MEMS force sensors constructed using paper as the structural material. The working principle on which these paper-based sensors are based is the piezoresistive effect generated by conductive materials patterned on a paper substrate. The device is inexpensive (∼$0.04 per device for materials), simple to fabricate, lightweight, and disposable. Paper can be readily folded into three-dimensional structures to increase the stiffness of the sensor while keeping it light in weight. The entire fabrication process can be completed within one hour without expensive cleanroom facilities using simple tools (e.g., a paper cutter and a painting knife). We demonstrated that the paper-based sensor can measure forces with moderate performance (i.e., resolution: 120 μN, measurement range: ±16 mN, and sensitivity: 0.84 mV mN(-1)). We applied this sensor to characterizing the mechanical properties of a soft material. Leveraging the same sensing concept, we also developed a paper-based balance with a measurement range of 15 g, and a resolution of 0.39 g. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                Sensors (Basel)
                Sensors (Basel)
                sensors
                Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
                MDPI
                1424-8220
                20 July 2017
                July 2017
                : 17
                : 7
                : 1667
                Affiliations
                [1 ]Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd, W. Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, Canada; istih@ 123456encs.concordia.ca
                [2 ]Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas s/n Querétaro, Querétaro 76000, Mexico; auredgz@ 123456uaq.mx
                Author notes
                [* ]Correspondence: ang_per@ 123456encs.concordia.ca or angel.perez@ 123456uaq.mx ; Tel.: +1-514-848-2424 (ext. 3152); Fax: +1-514-848-3175
                Article
                sensors-17-01667
                10.3390/s17071667
                5539724
                28726728
                53f46582-430c-46f4-8578-7152fe22dd6f
                © 2017 by the authors.

                Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

                History
                : 02 June 2017
                : 12 July 2017
                Categories
                Article

                Biomedical engineering
                paper-based sensors,sensing principle,hygro-mechanical system,cantilever beam,hygroexpansive strain

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