Accelerometer and Gyroscope Designs Based on Carbon Nanotube Tape

摘要

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed designs for two micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) motion and position sensors: a single-axis accelerometer and a gyroscope. The designs leverage a highly aligned multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) tape with a P(VDF-TrFE) matrix that is mechanically robust and has excellent piezoelectric properties as the sensing and actuating element. The use of CNT tape in a gyroscope is made possible by recent improvements to CNT processing that yield longer CNTs that are more highly aligned. The use of CNTs makes the accelerometer and gyroscopes stronger and more robust, without increasing their size or weight. The chief advantage, compared to silicone (Si) and quartz sensors, is easier manufacturing that requires no machining.