FORCE SENSING DEVICE

1 . A force sensing device, comprising:

a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer;

a pressure sensitive active layer responsive to a mechanical interaction, said pressure sensitive active layer comprising a pressure sensitive material; and

a force distribution structure positioned between said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer, said force distribution structure extending between a first end and a second end of said first conductive layer; wherein

said force distribution structure is configured to expand a contact area between said pressure sensitive active layer and said first conductive layer in response to a force being applied to said force sensing device; and further wherein

said pressure sensitive material is applied to an upper surface of said force distribution structure to form said pressure sensitive active layer.

2 . The force sensing device of claim 1 , wherein said force distribution structure comprises a substantially dome-shaped cross section.

3 . The force sensing device of claim 1 , wherein said force distribution structure is axially symmetrical.

4 . The force sensing device of claim 1 , wherein said pressure sensitive material comprises a quantum tunnelling material.

5 . The force sensing device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first conductive layer or said second conductive layer comprises a substrate.

6 . The force sensing device of claim 5 , wherein said substrate comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

7 . The force sensing device of claim 1 , wherein said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer are spaced apart by a spacer gasket.

8 . The force sensing device of claim 1 , wherein said force distribution structure comprises a substantially rigid material.

9 . A method of testing a force sensing device, comprising steps of:

providing the force sensing device of claim 1 ; and

applying an elastic actuator to a top surface of said first conductive layer to provide said mechanical interaction to said force sensing device.

10 . A method of manufacturing a force sensing device comprising steps of:

providing a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer;

providing a pressure sensitive material responsive to a mechanical interaction between said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer; and

positioning a force distribution structure between said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer such that said force distribution structure extends between a first end and a second end of said first conductive layer; wherein said step of providing said pressure sensitive material comprises a step of:

applying said pressure sensitive material to an upper surface of said force distribution structure.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said step of applying said pressure sensitive material comprises printing said pressure sensitive material onto said upper surface of said force distribution structure.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said force distribution structure comprises a substantially dome-shaped cross section.

13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising steps of:

providing a first substrate;

printing a conductive ink onto said first substrate to produce said first conductive layer;

providing a second substrate; and

printing a second conductive ink onto said second substrate to produce said second conductive layer.