Short Review of 3D Printed Piezoelectric Sensors

Abstract

Recently, 3D printing technology has gained increased attention in the manufacturing industry because it allows the manufacturing of complex but sophisticated structures as well as moderate production speed. Owing to advantages of 3D printers, such as flexible design, customization, rapid prototyping, and ease of access, can also be advantageous to sensor developments, 3D printing demands have increased in various active device fields, including sensor manufacturing. In particular, 3D printing technology is of significant interest in tactile sensor development where piezoelectric materials are typically embedded to acquire voltage signals from external stimuli. In regard with piezoelectricity, researchers have worked with various piezoelectric materials to achieve high piezoelectric response, but the structural approach is limited because ceramics have been regarded as challenging materials for complex design owing to their limited manufacturing methods. If appropriate piezoelectric materials and approaches to design are used, sensors can be fabricated with the improved piezoelectric response and high sensitivity that cannot be found in common bulk materials. In this study, various 3D printing technologies, material combinations, and applications of various piezoelectric sensors using the 3D printing method are reviewed.