Development of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose and Polydimethylsiloxane Pressure Sensors
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Engineering
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a derivative of cellulose which, when mixed with water, will enter a liquid crystalline state. Liquid crystals (LCs) are materials with both conventional liquid and solid crystal behaviors. HPC in its LC state is responsive to pressure due to its helical structure. When the helix is compressed, the HPC will reflect shorter wavelengths of light, causing a blue-shift. The concentration of HPC and water must be in a specific range in order to exhibit this property, so when water evaporates, HPC becomes colorless. By encapsulating our HPC-water mixture inside a PDMS silicone film, we were able to prevent the water from evaporating and designed a functional pressure sensor. Further research with these sensors would likely include determining which wavelengths of light correspond with different amounts of pressure. Once that is determined, these sensors can be used for industrial and biomedical applications in the place of more expensive pressure sensing devices.
Recommended Citation
Ashton, Anna Gray and Godwin, Eva, "Development of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose and Polydimethylsiloxane Pressure Sensors" (2022). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 114.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2022/all/114
Location
HSS 113
Start Date
4-2-2022 9:30 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
Yes
Development of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose and Polydimethylsiloxane Pressure Sensors
HSS 113
Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a derivative of cellulose which, when mixed with water, will enter a liquid crystalline state. Liquid crystals (LCs) are materials with both conventional liquid and solid crystal behaviors. HPC in its LC state is responsive to pressure due to its helical structure. When the helix is compressed, the HPC will reflect shorter wavelengths of light, causing a blue-shift. The concentration of HPC and water must be in a specific range in order to exhibit this property, so when water evaporates, HPC becomes colorless. By encapsulating our HPC-water mixture inside a PDMS silicone film, we were able to prevent the water from evaporating and designed a functional pressure sensor. Further research with these sensors would likely include determining which wavelengths of light correspond with different amounts of pressure. Once that is determined, these sensors can be used for industrial and biomedical applications in the place of more expensive pressure sensing devices.
