The KINOTEX® sensor is a polymer foam. Deformation of the foam generates an optical signal.

Sensitivity and compliance can be engineered to meet a broad range of user requirements. KINOTEX® can be fabricated in arbitrary shapes.

KINOTEX® devices sense pressures from as low as 0.1 kPa (.01 psi) to over 200 kPa (25 psi) and sense deformations as small as 0.025mm( .001") and up to to many mm/inches. Area arrays can resolve contact position with millimeter precision and can resolve multiple contacts simultaneously. Devices can respond on a sub-millisecond timescale. Operating temperatures can range from -80°C to over 200°C depending on the choice of materials.

Principle of operation are set out in US Patent 5,917,180. Additional discussion of principles and configuration details can be found in CAVITY SENSOR TECHNOLOGY FOR LOW COST AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY & CONTROL DEVICES.