The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system for an energy storage system, an energy storage system comprising such a monitoring system, a vehicle comprising such an energy storage system and a manufacturing method for such a monitoring system. The monitoring system for an energy storage system comprises a plurality of energy storage cells comprising at least one stretchable electronic unit and a communication element. The stretchable electronic unit is arrangeable at least at one of the energy storage cells. The stretchable electronic unit is configured to generate data based on strain applied on the stretchable electronic unit. The communication element is integrated in the stretchable electronic unit and configured to transfer data generated by the stretchable electronic unit.

Composite sensors that exhibit four deformation modes decoupled from each other are disclosed. The modes include tension, compression, bending, and torsion. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensor includes a substrate and six unit sensors. The unit sensors are paired such that each pair includes two unit sensors disposed on opposite surfaces of the substrate, the sensors being substantially opposed to each other. Two of the pairs include longitudinal axes that are substantially parallel to each other, and the third pair includes a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the other two longitudinal axes. The substrate is constrained along one of its edges. The composite sensors can be used in many contexts, such as part of a flow-driven, soft robot that passes through a pipe and detect links. Methods of detecting leaks are also described.

A proximity and three-axis force sensor based sensor may include a first taxel including a first electrode formed within a top layer configured in a serpentine pattern, a second electrode formed within a bottom layer, and a dielectric layer positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer and a second taxel including a first electrode formed within the top layer and having a first surface area, a second electrode formed within the bottom layer and having a second surface area, and a ground electrode formed within the top layer above the first electrode of the second taxel having a surface area greater than the first surface area of the first electrode of the second taxel. The second surface area may be different than the first surface area. A first edge of the first electrode may be vertically aligned with a first edge of the second electrode.

A proximity and three-axis force sensor based sensor may include a first taxel including a first electrode formed within a top layer configured in a serpentine pattern, a second electrode formed within a bottom layer, and a dielectric layer positioned between the top layer and the bottom layer and a second taxel including a first electrode formed within the top layer and having a first surface area, a second electrode formed within the bottom layer and having a second surface area, and a ground electrode formed within the top layer above the first electrode of the second taxel having a surface area greater than the first surface area of the first electrode of the second taxel. The second surface area may be different than the first surface area. A first edge of the first electrode may be vertically aligned with a first edge of the second electrode.

A deformable body for a force/torque sensor which may be attached to robots formed with multiple axes and multiple joints includes a substrate in which a hole is formed, a disc disposed above the hole, and a plurality of hinges protruding from a side surface of the disc and connecting the disc and the substrate.

Sensors capable of sensing shear and normal forces and suitable for measuring reaction forces on a body region of an individual, and systems and methods. Such a sensor includes a first plate and multiple second plates that are separated from the first plate by a dielectric material to define multiple capacitor units that are each responsive to normal and shear forces applied to the sensor. Each capacitor unit comprises an individual second plate of the second plates and a portion of the first plate that is superimposed by the individual second plate. The second plates are superimposed on the first plate so that a shear force applied to the sensor causes a first portion of at least one of the second plates to not be superimposed on the first plate while a remaining portion of the second plate remains superimposed on the first plate to define a superimposed area therebetween.

Sensors capable of sensing shear and normal forces and suitable for measuring reaction forces on a body region of an individual, and systems and methods. Such a sensor includes a first plate and multiple second plates that are separated from the first plate by a dielectric material to define multiple capacitor units that are each responsive to normal and shear forces applied to the sensor. Each capacitor unit comprises an individual second plate of the second plates and a portion of the first plate that is superimposed by the individual second plate. The second plates are superimposed on the first plate so that a shear force applied to the sensor causes a first portion of at least one of the second plates to not be superimposed on the first plate while a remaining portion of the second plate remains superimposed on the first plate to define a superimposed area therebetween.

A sensor according to the present technology includes a sensor unit and a separation layer. The sensor unit includes a first pressure sensor on a front side and a second pressure sensor on a rear side that are opposite to each other and detects, on the basis of pressure detection positions in an in-plane direction by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, a force in the in-plane direction. The separation layer has a gap portion and is interposed between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor.

A three-axis sensor includes: a first detection layer having a first surface, and a second surface on side opposite to the first surface, and including a first sensing section of a capacitive type; a second detection layer having a first surface opposed to the second surface of the first detection laver, and including a second sensing section of the capacitive type; a first electrically conductive layer provided to be opposed to the first surface of the first detection layer; a second electrically conductive layer provided between the first detection layer and the second detection layer; a separation layer provided between the first detection layer and the second electrically conductive layer to separate the first detection layer and the second electrically conductive layer from each other; a first deformation layer that is provided between the first electrically conductive layer and the first detection layer, and is elastically deformed in accordance with pressure acting in a thickness direction of a sensor; and a second deformation layer that is provided between the second electrically conductive layer and the second detection layer, and is elastically deformed in accordance with pressure acting in the thickness direction of the sensor. A 25% CLD value of the separation layer is 10 or more times a 25% CLD value of the first deformation layer, and the 25% CLD value of the separation layer is 10 or more times a 25% CLD value of the second deformation layer.

A three-axis sensor includes: a first detection layer having a first surface, and a second surface on side opposite to the first surface, and including a first sensing section of a capacitive type; a second detection layer having a first surface opposed to the second surface of the first detection laver, and including a second sensing section of the capacitive type; a first electrically conductive layer provided to be opposed to the first surface of the first detection layer; a second electrically conductive layer provided between the first detection layer and the second detection layer; a separation layer provided between the first detection layer and the second electrically conductive layer to separate the first detection layer and the second electrically conductive layer from each other; a first deformation layer that is provided between the first electrically conductive layer and the first detection layer, and is elastically deformed in accordance with pressure acting in a thickness direction of a sensor; and a second deformation layer that is provided between the second electrically conductive layer and the second detection layer, and is elastically deformed in accordance with pressure acting in the thickness direction of the sensor. A 25% CLD value of the separation layer is 10 or more times a 25% CLD value of the first deformation layer, and the 25% CLD value of the separation layer is 10 or more times a 25% CLD value of the second deformation layer.