Dual-mode carbon aerogel/iron rubber sensor

Nowadays, the integration of easy production, simple structure, high sensitivity and multi-functionality is the developing tendency for flexible sensors. Herein we report a facile manufacture of highly flexible, sensitive and multifunctional dual-mode sensor with ultra-simple structure by directly attaching magnetic iron rubber (IR) onto the surface of carbon aerogel (CA) derived from melamine foam. The dual-mode CA/IR sensor exhibits the high sensitivities of 5.6 kPa-1 and 1.6∙10-3 Oe-1 respectively toward pressure and magnetic field in a wide frequency ranging from 0.1 to 10 Hz, which are respectively higher than those of the existing flexible pressure/magnetism sensors. The multi-functionality of the dual-mode CA/IR sensor is demonstrated by monitoring blood repulse, human breath, balloon volume and thoracic volume via pressure and magnetism sensing or their combination. Due to its simple structure and high sensitivities, the dual-mode sensor is employed as the building block to create a direction-reco...