Dissolvable Piezo-Ionic Pullulan Sensor for Measurements of Applied Deformation

In the realm of innovative, green, cheap, biocompatible and biodegradable sensors, a novel solution emerges in the form of dissolvable devices, based on suitable compounds. The solution here addressed integrates EMIM-BF4ionic liquids and silver electrodes, into a pullulan matrix, an edible and biocompatible polysaccharide, in order to conceive a generating sensor capable to convert applied deformations into electrical signals. The sensor has been conceived and realized. An experimental campaign on the characterization has been performed obtaining very intriguing results. The results achieved open up pathways towards creating a new category of deformation sensors having sensitivity of about 5.5 × 10-5V/mm and a resolution of about 1 mm. Their dissolvable nature ensures minimal environmental impact, offering an eco-friendly solution for disposable uses and adaptable sensing technologies across diverse application fields. It is worth noting that the proposed solution presents potential in various context, including healthcare, environmental monitoring, and the Internet of Things.