Date of Publication

4-3-2025

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering and Management w/ Spec in Biomedical Engineering

Subject Categories

Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering

College

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Department/Unit

Manufacturing Engineering and Management

Thesis Advisor

Catherine Manuela L. Ramos

Defense Panel Chair

Nicanor R. Roxas

Defense Panel Member

Homer S. Co

Francisco Emmanuel T. Munsayac, Jr. III

Abstract (English)

Prosthesis lacks sensory perception. To address this issue, electronic skin (e-skin) can be utilized. E-skin is a sensor array on ultrathin films that is capable of detecting different properties such as pressure, temperature, and pain. In other words, it mimics the sensing capabilities of human skin to a degree. The developments in e-skin are greatly focused on manufacturing and utilizing flexible and ultra-thin film. Moreover, there are limited studies on designing e-skin systems for application on arm prosthesis. To have an e-skin system for integration on arm prosthesis, the eskin must be flexible enough to cater to the arm shape and must include a feedback system. The eskin system includes the e-skin integrated on the lower arm prosthetic and the feedback system in the form of a wearable device. The designed pressure sensor will utilize Velostat® as piezoresistive material, and thermochromic pigments as temperature-sensitive material. Arduino compatible microcontrollers will be used for processing the pressure input and corresponding output in the vibration motor modules and visual display. The developed e-skin can detect a minimum weight of 10g and maximum of 3000g. From 500g onwards, the voltage change is smaller, so the e-skin is most sensitive to change from 10g to 500g. At 3000g, the voltage converges, and negligible changes can be observed. The final pressure sensitivity slope recorded is 0.1665 mV/Pa. The thermochromic aspect of the e-skin is most sensitive to the temperature range of 5°C to 45°C. The default color under room temperature is Tuscany. When the temperature drops, the blue intensity results in grayish appearance until it fully turns into cool gray. Above 31°C, pink hues are more evident as the yellow pigment disappears and the red pigment is more dominant. Starting at 40°C, the red pigment starts to fade until it fully fades at 45°C. Overall, the prototype exhibited a promising e-skin system for lower arm prosthesis with pressure and temperature sensing capabilities that have near real time wireless data transmission, vibration feedback, and visual feedback. Since prosthesis do not detect pain, applying an e-skin that detects pressure and change in temperature allows amputees to recover their sensory perception. This study serves as a foundational reference for advanced prosthetic sensory feedback systems.

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

None

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Prosthesis; Artificial arms

Upload Full Text

wf_yes

Embargo Period

4-3-2028

Download

Available for download on Monday, April 03, 2028

Share

COinS