Resistance changing sensor

1. A sensor configured to experience changes in an electrical characteristic in response to an external interaction, said sensor comprising:

a first layer, a second layer and a third layer;

said first layer being comprised of a conductive material;

a first electrode connected to said first layer;

said second layer being interposed between said first layer and said third layer;

said second layer providing electrical conduction between said first layer and said third layer and being formed of a quantum tunnelling composite having an electrical characteristic sensitive to an external interaction;

said third layer being comprised of a first set of conductive fingers interdigitated with a second set of conductive fingers;

a second electrode attached to said first set of fingers; and

a third electrode attached to said second set of fingers;

said first electrode being electrically connected to a selected one electrode of said second electrode and said third electrode, thereby establishing a parallel electrical connection between said selected one electrode and said first electrode, while leaving a remaining non-selected one electrode of said second electrode and said third electrode;

whereby upon application of a voltage between the parallel connection and the non-selected one electrode, a measurement dependent upon the electrical characteristic of said second layer will be made available.

2. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein said quantum tunnelling composite is printed directly onto the first layer of a conductive material having a first electrode connected thereto.

3. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein said quantum tunnelling composite is printed directly onto said third layer comprised of a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers.

4. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein said second layer is formed of a composite material comprising a plurality of conductive or semi-conductive particles dispersed within a polymeric material.

5. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein said first layer of conductive material is comprised of a metallic material.

6. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein said metallic material includes at least one of silver-loaded ink and carbon loaded ink.

7. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein said first layer of conductive material is comprised of a fabric.

8. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein said third layer is comprised of a metallic material.

9. The sensor of claim 8 , wherein said metallic material includes at least one of silver-loaded ink and carbon loaded ink.

10. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein said external interaction comprises a mechanical interaction.

11. The sensor of claim 10 , wherein said mechanical interaction includes the application of pressure.

12. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein said external interaction includes the application of radiation.

13. An electrical circuit including the sensor of claim 1 , said electrical circuit comprising a voltage source configured to apply a voltage between said parallel electrical connection and the non-selected one electrode of said third electrode and said second electrode, and a measurement device configured to provide a measurement dependent upon the electrical resistance of said second layer.

14. An electrical circuit including the sensor of claim 1 , said electrical circuit comprising a voltage source configured to apply a voltage between said parallel electrical connection and the non-selected one electrode of said third electrode and said second electrode, and a measurement device configured to provide a measurement dependent upon electrical impedance of said sensor.

15. An electrical circuit including the sensor of claim 1 , said electrical circuit comprising a voltage source configured to apply a voltage between said parallel electrical connection and the non-selected one electrode of said third electrode and said second electrode, and a measurement device configured to provide a measurement dependent upon current flowing from said parallel electrical connection and the non-selected one electrode of said third electrode and said second electrode.

16. A method of constructing a sensor for detecting an external interaction by effecting a change in resistance, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first layer of a conductive material;

attaching a first electrode to said first layer of a conductive material;

providing a second layer of an electrically conductive material having a resistance sensitive to external interactions;

providing a third layer consisting of a first set of fingers interdigitated with a second set of fingers;

interposing said second layer between said first layer and said third layer thereby establishing electrical conduction between said first layer and said third layer;

attaching a second electrode to said first set of fingers;

attaching a third electrode to said second set of fingers;

connecting said first electrode to said second electrode to establish a parallel connection between said first electrode and said second electrode;

applying a voltage between said parallel connection and the third electrode; and

measuring an electrical signal to obtain a measurement dependent upon current flowing from said parallel connection to the third electrode.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said second layer is fabricated from quantum tunnelling composite.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said external interaction comprises pressure applied to said sensor.