A flexible pressure sensor utilizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is investigated employing a finite element methodology to delve into its electro-mechanical behavior. The responsive nature of the three-dimensional representative volume element, containing impenetrable CNT cylinders within an insulating hyperelastic elastomeric cube, is simulated to capture its sensitivity to pressure. Considering applied pressure and updated percolation pathways, a multi-step approach is employed to assess piezoresistivity. Upon adjusting positions of CNTs within the deformed state using the finite element method, novel pathways are identified using the critical distance criterion for percolation paths that contribute to the resistance network. Simulation results demonstrate good agreement with experimental data for resistivity and piezoresistive sensitivity of different CNT elastomeric nanocomposites. The finite element method helps to analyze influences of nanotube volume fraction, geometrical properties, and orientational configurations on the critical distance percolation onset. Lower CNT contents yield more substantial relative resistance changes due to fewer percolating routes.

中文翻译：

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碳纳米管弹性体纳米复合材料压力传感器电性能的有限元渗流隧道方法

采用有限元方法研究了利用碳纳米管 (CNT) 的柔性压力传感器，以深入研究其机电行为。模拟三维代表性体积单元（在绝缘超弹性弹性体立方体内包含不可穿透的 CNT 圆柱体）的响应性质，以捕获其对压力的敏感性。考虑到施加的压力和更新的渗流路径，采用多步骤方法来评估压阻率。使用有限元方法调整变形状态下碳纳米管的位置后，使用有助于电阻网络的渗透路径的临界距离标准来识别新的路径。模拟结果表明不同 CNT 弹性体纳米复合材料的电阻率和压阻灵敏度与实验数据非常吻合。有限元方法有助于分析纳米管体积分数、几何性质和取向配置对临界距离渗流起始的影响。由于渗透路径较少，较低的碳纳米管含量会产生较大的相对电阻变化。