Daejong Yang

Bio: Daejong Yang is an academic researcher from California Institute of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Nanowire & Nanomaterials. The author has an hindex of 10, co-authored 27 publications receiving 737 citations. Previous affiliations of Daejong Yang include KAIST & Kongju National University.

A stretchable strain sensor based on a metal nanoparticle thin film for human motion detection

Abstract: Wearable strain sensors for human motion detection are being highlighted in various fields such as medical, entertainment and sports industry. In this paper, we propose a new type of stretchable strain sensor that can detect both tensile and compressive strains and can be fabricated by a very simple process. A silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) thin film patterned on the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp by a single-step direct transfer process is used as the strain sensing material. The working principle is the change in the electrical resistance caused by the opening/closure of micro-cracks under mechanical deformation. The fabricated stretchable strain sensor shows highly sensitive and durable sensing performances in various tensile/compressive strains, long-term cyclic loading and relaxation tests. We demonstrate the applications of our stretchable strain sensors such as flexible pressure sensors and wearable human motion detection devices with high sensitivity, response speed and mechanical robustness.

Localized Liquid-Phase Synthesis of Porous SnO2 Nanotubes on MEMS Platform for Low Power, High Performance Gas Sensors

Abstract: We have developed highly sensitive, low-power gas sensors through the novel integration method of porous SnO2 nanotubes (NTs) on a micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) platform. As a template material, ZnO nanowires (NWs) were directly synthesized on beam-shaped, suspended microheaters through an in situ localized hydrothermal reaction induced by local thermal energy around the Joule-heated area. Also, the liquid-phase deposition process enabled the formation of a porous SnO2 thin film on the surface of ZnO NWs and simultaneous etching of the ZnO core, eventually to generate porous SnO2 NTs. Because of the localized synthesis of SnO2 NTs on the suspended microheater, very low power for the gas sensor operation (<6 mW) has been realized. Moreover, the sensing performance (e.g., sensitivity and response time) of synthesized SnO2 NTs was dramatically enhanced compared to that of ZnO NWs. In addition, the sensing performance was further improved by forming SnO2–ZnO hybrid nanostructures due to the heteroju...

Micropatterning of metal oxide nanofibers by electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing towards highly integrated and multiplexed gas sensor applications

Abstract: Integration of heterogeneous sensing materials in microelectronic devices is essential to accomplish compact and highly integrated environmental sensors. For this purpose, a micro-patterning method of electrospun metal oxide nanofibers based on electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing process was developed in this work. Several types of metal oxide (SnO_2, In_2O_3, WO_3 and NiO) nanofibers that were produced by electrospinning, fragmented into smaller pieces by ultrasonication, and dissolved in organic solvents were utilized as inks for the printing. Constant or pulsed wave bias consisting of base and jetting voltages were applied between a nozzle and a substrate to generate a jetting of nanofiber solutions. Several parameters for EHD printing such as pulse width, inner diameter of the nozzle, distance from the nozzle to the substrate, and stage speed, were optimized for accurate micro-patterning of electrospun nanofibers. By using optimized printing parameters, microscale patterns of electrospun nanofibers with a minimum diameter less than 50 μm could be realized. Gas sensors were fabricated by EHD printing on the microelectrodes and then used for the detection of toxic gases such as NO_2, CO and H_2S. Four kinds of metal oxides could detect down to 0.1 ppm of NO_2, 1 ppm of H_2S and 20 ppm of CO gases. Also, heterogeneous nanofiber gas sensor array was fabricated by the same printing method and could detect NO_2 using the sensor array platform with microheaters. Furthermore, microscale patterns of nanofibers by EHD printing could be applied to the suspended MEMS platform without any structural damage and this sensor array could detect NO_2 and H_2S gases with 20 mW power consumption.

Gas Sensor by Direct Growth and Functionalization of Metal Oxide/Metal Sulfide Core-Shell Nanowires on Flexible Substrates.

Abstract: We have developed a novel fabrication method for flexible gas sensors for toxic gases based on sequential wet chemical reaction. In specific, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires were locally synthesized and...

Focused energy field method for the localized synthesis and direct integration of 1D nanomaterials on microelectronic devices.

Abstract: In the focused energy field method, localized heating, and convective mass transfer in a liquid precursor realizes selective synthesis and direct integration of 1D nanomaterials as well as their surface functionalization, all in a low-temperature, liquid environment. This allows facile fabrication of 1D nanomaterial-based nanoelectronic devices.

Stretchable, Skin-Mountable, and Wearable Strain Sensors and Their Potential Applications: A Review

Abstract: There is a growing demand for flexible and soft electronic devices. In particular, stretchable, skin-mountable, and wearable strain sensors are needed for several potential applications including personalized health-monitoring, human motion detection, human-machine interfaces, soft robotics, and so forth. This Feature Article presents recent advancements in the development of flexible and stretchable strain sensors. The article shows that highly stretchable strain sensors are successfully being developed by new mechanisms such as disconnection between overlapped nanomaterials, crack propagation in thin films, and tunneling effect, different from traditional strain sensing mechanisms. Strain sensing performances of recently reported strain sensors are comprehensively studied and discussed, showing that appropriate choice of composite structures as well as suitable interaction between functional nanomaterials and polymers are essential for the high performance strain sensing. Next, simulation results of piezoresistivity of stretchable strain sensors by computational models are reported. Finally, potential applications of flexible strain sensors are described. This survey reveals that flexible, skin-mountable, and wearable strain sensors have potential in diverse applications while several grand challenges have to be still overcome.

Flexible and Stretchable Physical Sensor Integrated Platforms for Wearable Human-Activity Monitoringand Personal Healthcare.

Abstract: Flexible and stretchable physical sensors that can measure and quantify electrical signals generated by human activities are attracting a great deal of attention as they have unique characteristics, such as ultrathinness, low modulus, light weight, high flexibility, and stretchability. These flexible and stretchable physical sensors conformally attached on the surface of organs or skin can provide a new opportunity for human-activity monitoring and personal healthcare. Consequently, in recent years there has been considerable research effort devoted to the development of flexible and stretchable physical sensors to fulfill the requirements of future technology, and much progress has been achieved. Here, the most recent developments of flexible and stretchable physical sensors are described, including temperature, pressure, and strain sensors, and flexible and stretchable sensor-integrated platforms. The latest successful examples of flexible and stretchable physical sensors for the detection of temperature, pressure, and strain, as well as their novel structures, technological innovations, and challenges, are reviewed first. In the next section, recent progress regarding sensor-integrated wearable platforms is overviewed in detail. Some of the latest achievements regarding self-powered sensor-integrated wearable platform technologies are also reviewed. Further research direction and challenges are also proposed to develop a fully sensor-integrated wearable platform for monitoring human activity and personal healthcare in the near future.

Wearable Sensors for Remote Health Monitoring.

Abstract: Life expectancy in most countries has been increasing continually over the several few decades thanks to significant improvements in medicine, public health, as well as personal and environmental hygiene. However, increased life expectancy combined with falling birth rates are expected to engender a large aging demographic in the near future that would impose significant burdens on the socio-economic structure of these countries. Therefore, it is essential to develop cost-effective, easy-to-use systems for the sake of elderly healthcare and well-being. Remote health monitoring, based on non-invasive and wearable sensors, actuators and modern communication and information technologies offers an efficient and cost-effective solution that allows the elderly to continue to live in their comfortable home environment instead of expensive healthcare facilities. These systems will also allow healthcare personnel to monitor important physiological signs of their patients in real time, assess health conditions and provide feedback from distant facilities. In this paper, we have presented and compared several low-cost and non-invasive health and activity monitoring systems that were reported in recent years. A survey on textile-based sensors that can potentially be used in wearable systems is also presented. Finally, compatibility of several communication technologies as well as future perspectives and research challenges in remote monitoring systems will be discussed.

Stretchable, Transparent, Ultrasensitive, and Patchable Strain Sensor for Human-Machine Interfaces Comprising a Nanohybrid of Carbon Nanotubes and Conductive Elastomers.

Abstract: Interactivity between humans and smart systems, including wearable, body-attachable, or implantable platforms, can be enhanced by realization of multifunctional human–machine interfaces, where a variety of sensors collect information about the surrounding environment, intentions, or physiological conditions of the human to which they are attached. Here, we describe a stretchable, transparent, ultrasensitive, and patchable strain sensor that is made of a novel sandwich-like stacked piezoresisitive nanohybrid film of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and a conductive elastomeric composite of polyurethane (PU)-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). This sensor, which can detect small strains on human skin, was created using environmentally benign water-based solution processing. We attributed the tunability of strain sensitivity (i.e., gauge factor), stability, and optical transparency to enhanced formation of percolating networks between conductive SWCNTs and PEDOT phases at ...

Recent Progress in Electronic Skin.

Abstract: The skin is the largest organ of the human body and can sense pressure, temperature, and other complex environmental stimuli or conditions. The mimicry of human skin's sensory ability via electronics is a topic of innovative research that could find broad applications in robotics, artificial intelligence, and human-machine interfaces, all of which promote the development of electronic skin (e-skin). To imitate tactile sensing via e-skins, flexible and stretchable pressure sensor arrays are constructed based on different transduction mechanisms and structural designs. These arrays can map pressure with high resolution and rapid response beyond that of human perception. Multi-modal force sensing, temperature, and humidity detection, as well as self-healing abilities are also exploited for multi-functional e-skins. Other recent progress in this field includes the integration with high-density flexible circuits for signal processing, the combination with wireless technology for convenient sensing and energy/data transfer, and the development of self-powered e-skins. Future opportunities lie in the fabrication of highly intelligent e-skins that can sense and respond to variations in the external environment. The rapidly increasing innovations in this area will be important to the scientific community and to the future of human life.