Patent ID: 7718950
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: A61B,B25J,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An active sensor device, for converting external stimuli applied by physical contact with the sensor surface to a signal, comprising: a. a thin flexible film b. first and second electrodes, disposed on the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the thin flexible film for electrical contact with the thin film; c. at least one layer of nanoparticles in the thin film between the electrodes, said nanoparticles being placed under strain upon the physical contact with the sensor surface; d. at least one layer of a dielectric barrier layer on the either side of the at least one nanoparticle layer, said barrier layer having a thickness of less than 25 nanometers and conductivity less than 10 e. at least one substrate to support the device that does not make physical contact with the stimuli; and f. means for applying an electrical current between said first and second electrodes, said electrical current flowing by tunneling through said dielectric barrier layers and said nanoparticles and being modulated by the strain placed on the nanoparticles upon the physical contact with the sensor surface to thereby provide a signal indicative of the physical contact.