Capacitive sensors and methods and apparatuses for producing capacitive sensors

Abstract

Capacitive sensors and methods and apparatuses for producing capacitive sensors. Such a method includes printing a dielectric layer to include a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) film so that the dielectric layer has oppositely-disposed first and second surfaces. First and second electrodes are provided on the first and second surfaces, respectively, of the dielectric layer. A corona poling apparatus for producing a capacitive sensor includes an anode having at least one electrically conductive ionizer needle, a cathode opposite and facing the anode with a distance therebetween, a sample location defined between the ionizer needle and the cathode wherein the sample location is configured to receive an object to be polarized, and a shield surrounding at least one of the anode, the ionizer needle, and the cathode. The shield focuses ions created during a corona discharge between the anode and the cathode toward the sample location.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.