If someone ever develops proper ballistic conductors then carbon nanotubes will replace copper for electric transmission, just like fiber optics replaced copper in telecoms.
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Tsinghua University's Ultra-Small, Ultra-Light, Flexible Six-Dimensional Force/Torque Sensor Enhances Robotic Fingertip Dexterity
Tsinghua University's Department of Precision Instruments has developed a flexible six-dimensional force/torque sensor with a simple structure, small size (fingertip-sized), and lightweight (0.30 g) . This sensor utilizes stacked thin-film thermistors to sense the spatial strain of a flexible pressure-thermal material, achieving flexible sensing of six-dimensional force/torque with a wide range and high precision . The team applied the sensor to the fingertips of a dexterous robot hand, enabling precise manipulation of objects. Furthermore, the sensor, applied to human fingertips, enables dexterous multi-dimensional, multi-task manipulation . For example, individuals with limited mobility, such as the disabled and elderly, can use fingertip manipulation to perform complex household tasks, such as remote control and collaborative grasping and storage .
Technological advancement
The flexible sensor utilizes a compact laminated design , with thin-film thermistors distributed across the upper and lower layers of the flexible pressure-thermal material. Under the action of six-dimensional forces/torques, the flexible pressure-thermal material generates spatial strain, which is detected by the thin-film thermistors located on the upper and lower layers. This allows for the precise sensing of six-dimensional forces/torques by combining simple thermal sensing with the pressure-thermal effect. The sensor has a simple structure, small size, and light weight . The measurement ranges of the six-dimensional force/torque for normal force (Fz), tangential force (Fx and Fy), moment (Mx and My), and torque (Mz) are 15 N, -5~5 N, -60~60 mN·m, and -20~20 mN·m, respectively. The root mean square error (RMSE) is 0.18 N, 0.15 N, 0.18 N, 0.58 mN·m, 0.62 mN·m, and 0.26 mN·m, respectively. The flexible sensor remains stable after passing 100,000 repeatability tests and is not affected by ambient temperature and humidity. The sensor has the advantages of wide range, high precision, high reliability, and high stability.