The University of British Columbia

Meisam Farajollahi

Shahriar Mirabbasi

Mirza Saquib Sarwar

John D W Madden

John Madden

Edmond Cretu

Yuta Dobashi

Ettore Glitz

Saeedeh Ebrahimi Takalloo

A method of sensing a pressure applied to a surface comprises monitoring an electrical signal generated by redistribution of mobile ions in a piezoionic layer under the surface. An externally applied local pressure at a portion of the layer induces redistribution of mobile ions in the piezoionic layer. It is determined that the surface is pressured based on detection of the electrical signal. A piezoionic sensor includes a sensing surface; a piezoionic layer disposed under the sensing surface such that an externally applied local pressure on a portion of the sensing surface causes detectable redistribution of mobile ions in the piezoionic layer; and electrodes in contact with the layer, configured to monitor electrical signal generated by the redistribution of mobile ions in the piezoionic layer.

Method and sensor for pressure sensing based on electrical signal generated by redistribution of mobile ions in piezoionic layer

An apparatus provides tactile stimulus to a human user using a tri-layer actuator comprising: first and second polymer layers which are electronically and ionically conductive and have one or more dimensions which vary in dependence on insertion of ions therein and withdrawal of ions therefrom; and a deformable layer located between the first and second polymer layers to physically separate the first and second polymer layers from one another, the deformable layer electronically insulating and ionically conductive. Application of first and second voltages between the first and second polymer layers creates corresponding first and second distributions of ions within the first and second polymer layers. Changing between application of the first and second voltages causes corresponding deformation of the tri-layer actuator between corresponding first and second shapes, a difference or transition between the first and second shapes detectable by a sense of touch of a human user.

Apparatus and methods for providing tactile stimulus incorporating tri-layer actuators

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Meisam Farajollahi