A novel screen-printed multi-component nanocomposite ink with a pressure sensitive electrical resistance functionality

Here, a novel functional ink is described that is composed of multiple nanoscale components and exhibits pronounced touch pressure sensitive electrical properties ideal for applications in switching, sensing and touch sensitive surfaces. The ink can be screen-printed and the as-printed ink displays a large and reproducible touch pressure sensitive electrical resistance and, in contrast to some other composite materials, the resistance changes occur down to the smallest applied pressures. Detailed scanning electron microscopy shows the complex nanoscale structure of the composite that is critical for the electrical behavior. Current-voltage measurements, under static compressive loading, show monotonic non-linear behavior at low compression and ohmic behavior at higher loadings.