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Researchers at Harvard University have an American working force sensor made of paper.
Production costs are much lower than that of MEMS sensors(micro-electromechanical systems) silicon.
The sensor consists of a square sheet chromotografiepapier which crosses a narrowstrip.
On this lever is a small U fitted with graphite.
When the strip bend a bit, thegraphite is under mechanical tension, which increases the electrical resistance changes.
The contacts on the square part of the force sensor are made of silver. Both you as the contact to the paper by screen printing of carbon and silver ink.
The force sensor of paper performs noticeably worse than similar silicon sensors. ”Thestiffness of the paper is a thousand times lower than silicon. And behavior at highfrequencies is poor: the paper strip has a natural frequency of 25 Hz to 10 kHz forsilicon, “said Professor George White Sides of Harvard University. The strong point ofthe paper sensor is the price. The test sensor of materials cost five cents, but mass production could push that amount even further.