MicroFluID: A Multi-Chip RFID Tag for Interaction Sensing Based on Microfluidic Switches

RFID has been widely used for activity and gesture recognition in emerging interaction paradigms given its low cost, lightweight, and pervasiveness. However, current learning-based approaches on RFID sensing require significant efforts in data collection, feature extraction, and model training. To save data processing effort, we present MicroFluID, a novel RFID artifact based on a multiple-chip structure and microfluidic switches, which informs the input state by directly reading variable ID information instead of retrieving primitive signals. Fabricated on flexible substrates, four types of microfluidic switch circuits are designed to respond to external physical events, including pressure, bend, temperature, and gravity. By default, chips are disconnected into the circuit owing to the reserved gaps in transmission line. While external input or status change occurs, conductive liquid floating in the microfluidics channels will fill the gap(s), creating a connection to certain chip(s). In prototyping the device, we conducted a series of simulations and experiments to explore the feasibility of the multi-chip tag design, key fabrication parameters, interaction performance, and users' perceptions.