Stretchable bidirectional capacitive pressure sensor and method of use

A method of collecting data related to fluid flow over an object, comprising the steps of:

• attaching at least one stretchable two-dimensional capacitive pressure sensor to an area of the object, the or each stretchable two-dimensional capacitive pressure sensor comprising a first elastomeric sheet made from a dielectric material, with a series of conductor lines located on or in the first elastomeric sheet, a second elastomeric sheet made from a dielectric material, with a series of conductor lines located on or in the second elastomeric sheet, wherein the conductor lines of the first elastomeric sheet are orthogonal to the conductor lines of the second elastomeric sheet, a microstructure comprising a plurality of elastomeric pillars made from a dielectric material, the microstructure being disposed between and bonded to both the elastomeric sheets, for enabling the bidirectional sensor to register positive and negative pressure by the movement of the first and second elastomeric sheets, and wherein each elastomeric pillar is located at a crossing point between a conductor line of the first elastomeric sheet and a conductor line of the second elastomeric sheet;
• subjecting the object to a fluid flow;
• a recording, from the stretchable two-dimensional capacitive pressure sensor, data indicative of pressure over the area of the object.