A deep-sea pressure sensor capable of sensing small gripping forces without coupling
摘要
The exploration and utilization of marine resources demand advanced operational tools. At present, deep-sea vehicles equipped with manipulators serve as the primary platforms for underwater exploration. However, the pressure sensors responsible for detecting the subtle gripping forces of these manipulators still face significant technical challenges, primarily due to the extreme hydrostatic pressure, corrosive seawater environment, and stringent mechanical strength requirements. A dual-curing, waterproof digital light processing (DLP) resin has been developed to achieve micron-scale printing accuracy, excellent seawater resistance, and mechanical properties comparable to those of thermoplastic resins. More importantly, the deep-sea pressure sensor (DSPS) features a unique printed lattice structure that allows seawater to penetrate and equilibrate the internal and external pressures, effectively mitigating the effects of deep-sea hydrostatic pressure. Experimental results demonstrate that the sensor exhibits a wide detection range and high sensitivity, with a measured sensitivity of 0.77 kPa−1 under 30 MPa hydrostatic pressure and a signal fluctuation below 1.48%. Furthermore, both the sensitivity and detection range of the sensor can be tuned by adjusting the lattice parameters, providing a robust foundation for the advancement of marine resource exploration.