Paper-Based, Capacitive Touch Pads

1. Aaron D. Mazzeo¹, 
2. William B. Kalb¹,
3. Lawrence Chan¹, 
4. Matthew G. Killian¹, 
5. Jean-Francis Bloch², 
6. Brian A. Mazzeo³, 
7. George M. Whitesides^1,4,*

Article first published online: 27 APR 2012

DOI: 10.1002/adma.201200137

Metallized paper is patterned to create touch pads of arrayed buttons that are sensitive to contact with both bare and gloved fingers. The paper-based keypad detects the change in capacitance associated with the touch of a finger to one of its buttons. Mounted on an alarmed cardboard box, the keypad requires the appropriate sequence of touches to disarm the system.