Polymeric material with voids that compress to allow the polymeric material to absorb applied force and decrease reaction force to one or more sensor fibers

Abstract

In one example, the voidscomprise one or more gas (e.g., air) bubbles in the solid material. In another example, the voidscomprise a structure that preserves a space in the solid material. In a further example, the voidscomprise hollow elastomeric bubbles, for example, hollow elastomeric microspheres. The hollow elastomeric microspheres comprise microballoons with tin walls that encapsulate a gas to allow for easy compression. For example, the walls of the hollow elastomeric microspheres are strong enough to avoid breakage under pressure, but thin enough to easily compress. In a further example, once cured in the solid material, the hollow elastomeric microspheres comprise substantially similar compressibility characteristics as gas bubbles. The voidsin one example are added to a resin of the solid materialin a substantially uniform distribution. For example, the hollow elastomeric microspheres are stirred into the resin of the solid material