Pressure sensor from a PVDF film

A new low-cost polymer pressure sensor has been developed. A piezoelectric polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) film is used in this sensor as the sensing element. The design of the sensor and the manufacturing are described in detail. The properties of the sensor have been investigated experimentally. The cross-sensitivity to temperature and humidity and the response time were measured and changes of the characteristic curve due to aging were investigated. The influence of different chemicals on the output signal of the pressure sensor are reported and discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.