Peratech Holdco Limited

Peratech Limited

Mark Andrew Graham

David Lussey

Chris Lussey

A sensor is configured to experience resistance changes in response to an external interaction. The sensor comprises a first layer of a conductive material having a first electrode connected thereto; a second intermediate layer of a material having a resistance sensitive to said external interaction; and a third layer including a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers. A second electrode is attached to the first set of fingers and a third electrode is attached to the second set of fingers. The second layer includes a quantum tunnelling composite and provides electrical conduction between the first layer and the third layer. In a preferred embodiment, the first electrode is connected to either one of said second electrode or said third electrode to complete a parallel connection. A method is described for constructing such a sensor.

Resistance changing sensor

A sensor for, and a method of, generating electrical signals indicating a positional property and an extent property of a mechanical interaction within a sensing zone. The sensor comprises a plurality of conductive layers. At least one conductive layer is a pressure-sensitive conductive layer comprising a quantum tunnelling conductance (qtc) material. Contact between conductive layers is allowed during the absence of a mechanical interaction within said sensing zone. The sensor may be configured to provide a three-terminal sensing functionality or a four-terminal sensing functionality. The sensing zone may be substantially two-dimensional or substantially three-dimensional. The sensor may be substantially flexible or substantially rigid.

Sensor

A detector comprising control circuitry and a sensor in which the detector comprises three layers. The first layer includes a first set of mutually connected electrically conducting elements and a second set of mutually connected electrically conducting elements. The third layer comprises an electrically conducting plane, and the second layer extends between the first and third layers. The electrical conductivity of the second layer varies in accordance with variations in the intensity of the interactions. In a first mode, the control circuit applies voltage between the first and third layers to generate a first current through the second layer, and provides a measurement of the first current. In a second mode, the control circuit applies voltage between the first and second sets of electrically conducting elements to generate a second current through the second layer, and provides a measurement of the second current.

Detector responsive to interactions of varying intensity

A sensor () for detecting input force and/or torque with six degrees of freedom for use as a computer input device is provided. The sensor has a technically simple detection mechanism which obviates the need for complex and fragile securing components. A user-manipulable core () is enclosed in a casing (). Electrodes () in the casing () are separated from the core () by a layer of elastically deformable conductive polymer (). Electric current flows between the core () and the electrodes (). The polymer () has variable resistivity depending on the stress it experiences. Manipulation of the core () causes deformation of the polymer (); the type of deformation, and hence the type of force/torque applied to core (), is determinable from the currents flowing through the electrodes ().

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Middlesborough, United Kingdom

Mark Andrew Graham