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On the Attenuation of Light by a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Foam and Its Implementation as a Weight Sensor

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Abstract

We report a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foam based sensor for measuring weight. The transmission spectrum of PDMS foam is studied by subjecting it to compression in the direction of the incident light. The attenuation of transmitted light through the PDMS foam is discussed. An apparatus is fabricated which compresses or uncompresses the PDMS foam by loading or unloading weights which varies the intensity of the transmitted light. Observations show no hysteresis and good repeatability over a range of weights from 500 to 2800 g.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank COSIST and the Department of Biochemistry and the School of Energy Studies, University of Pune. A special thanks to Dr. Govind Umarji of Center for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) and Prof. Santosh Haram of the Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Pune. Authors are thankful to Dr. Subramaniam AnanthaKrishnan and Prof. Subhash Ghaisas of the Department of Electronics Science, University of Pune, for their thoughtful insight.

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Correspondence to Amit R. Morarka.

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Tamhane, D.U., Morarka, A.R. On the Attenuation of Light by a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Foam and Its Implementation as a Weight Sensor. MAPAN 32, 1–6 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12647-016-0185-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12647-016-0185-1

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