Paper-based origami transducer capable of both sensing and actuation

Human muscles can sense external stimuli and generate forces as well. To emulate these capabilities, we design a paper-based transducer capable of both sensing and actuation. Utilizing the origami technique, we develop a soft transducer with attributes of simple structure, easy fabrication and low cost. The origami transducer can function as a deformable capacitive sensor to measure contract forces/pressures. It can achieve a sensitivity up to 0.051 kPa(-1), comparable to soft capacitive sensors in the literature. During cyclic tests up to 1000 cycles, this soft sensor exhibits excellent repeatability and negligible hysteresis, thus enabling a high accuracy. On the other hand, this origami transducer can act as a soft actuator to generate haptic feedback. The voltage-induced output force can be 0.4 N, comparable to haptic devices based on soft actuators in the literature. This origami transducer is finally demonstrated for application to breath monitoring of a subject, functioning as both a wearable sensor and actuator. It is believed that paper-based origami transducers can offer a unique option to soft robots and wearable devices, due to their simple design, low cost, and capability for simultaneous sensing and actuation. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.