Sensors, Vol. 19, Pages 4500: Enhancement of Sensitivity and Accuracy of Micro/Nano Water Droplets Detection Using Galvanic-Coupled Arrays (Sensors)

A moisture sensor has been reported that detects invisibly small water droplets and distinguishes their particle size with high accuracy and high speed. This sensor uses narrow lines of dissimilar metals as electrodes, arranged with gaps of 0.5 to 10 μm. The working principle for this sensor is that it measures the galvanic current generated when a water droplet forms a bridge-like structure between the electrodes. In addition, the surface of the sensor was controlled by using hydrophilic polymer, GL, and hydrophobic polymer, PMMA. The study of the relationship between the contact angle, projected area of water droplets and current response from the sensor with a modified surface showed that in the case of GL, the contact angle was small (wettability increased) and the average value and distribution of the projected water droplet area and the sensor’s response increased. This enhanced the sensor’s sensitivity. On the other hand, in the case of PMMA, the contact angle was large (wettability decreased), the area of the water droplet and its distribution became small and the accuracy of discriminating the water droplet’s diameter by the sensor enhanced. Therefore, by rendering sensor’s surface hydrophilic and hydrophobic, the sensitivity and accuracy of the sensor could be enhanced.