Doctoral Dissertations
Date of Award
5-2013
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Major
Biomedical Engineering
Major Professor
Mohamed R. Mahfouz
Committee Members
William R. Hamel, Richard D. Komistek, H. Lee Martin
Abstract
This dissertation introduces the novel concept of removing the ground conductive plate by utilizing body capacitance as the ground in the capacitive sensor, whereby circuit pressure sensing can occur with only one plate and one dielectric. Additionally, body capacitance sensing was limited to a binary touch-no-touch output, whereas the method presented here can sense various applied pressures. The resulting circuit acts as an antenna that receives local capacitance signals from a human interaction.
The advantage of this design is that it allows for both proximity sensing and pressure sensing (once the body part is touching the dielectric material). This setup is ideal for a z-axis dimensional interface for touchscreen devices, as well as pressure sensing palpation or planter region interaction.
Recommended Citation
Huber, Jonathan William, "Dynamic Mutual Capacitive Sensor for Human Interactions.. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 2013.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/1736
Included in
Biomedical Devices and Instrumentation Commons, Engineering Mechanics Commons, Mechanics of Materials Commons