Novel Twist Angle Measurement Sensor Utilizes Flexible Silicone Rubber Material

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Kalyani Government Engineering College, West Bengal, India, have designed and experimentally evaluated a novel torsion or twist angle measurement sensor. The sensor, which utilizes a flexible silicone rubber material, relies on the principle of optical polarization to measure twist angles with high accuracy. The research, funded by the Deanship of Research And Graduate Studies At King Khalid University, has led to the development of a comprehensive analytical model that precisely correlates the photocurrent with the twist angle.

Key Takeaways:

  • The sensor consists of two linear optical polarizers placed sequentially with their polarization axes perpendicular to each other, separated by a transparent cylindrical duct structure made from rigid epoxy resin.
  • The sensor is able to measure twist angles with high accuracy by detecting the intensity of the transmitted optical power, which is directly proportional to the square of the sine of the twist angle.
  • A comprehensive analytical model has been developed to precisely correlate the photocurrent with the twist angle, applicable for both narrow and wide spectrum sensing configurations.
  • Validation of this model through experimental measurements across a twist angle range from -90° to +90° demonstrates strong agreement.
  • The sensor structure achieves an effective balance among accuracy, reliability, scalability, and long-term stability, making it particularly suitable for applications involving frequent cyclic twisting.
  • Repeated cyclic twist tests indicate minimal degradation in measurement accuracy, highlighting the sensor's robustness.
  • Soumya Kanti Raj, Sandip Nandi, Angsuman Sarkar, Palash Das, Soumyadeep Paty, Aritra Acharyya, Arindam Biswas, Naim Ahmad, Salman Arafath Mohammed, and Saurav Mallik are additional authors on this research.

Statistics:

  • The sensor was tested across a twist angle range from -90° to +90°.
  • The unexpected twist angle was found to be up to 70°, as outlined in the study data.
  • The sensor achieved an accuracy of 99% in measuring twist angles.

Sources:

  • Silicone Rubber-Based Flexible Optical Sensor for Precise Twist Angle Measurement. IEEE Access, 2025,13():167614-167631.
  • NewsRx. Study Data from West Bengal Update Understanding of Engineering (Silicone Rubber-Based Flexible Optical Sensor for Precise Twist Angle Measurement). Journal of Engineering. October 13, 2025; p 5590.
  • IEEE Access. Publisher: IEEE.
  • doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3610486 (a free version of the journal article)