The effect is far more pronounced than would be expected from classical (non-quantum) effects alone, as classical electrical resistance is linear (proportional to distance), while quantum tunnelling is exponential with decreasing distance, allowing the resistance to change by a factor of up to 1012 between pressured and unpressured states.
[4] However, in some cases Force-sensing resistors may operate predominantly under percolation regime; this implies that the composite resistance grows for an incremental applied stress or force.
Peratech Ltd. and other companies are working on developing quantum tunneling composite to improve touch technology.
Currently, there is restricted use of QTC due to its high cost, but eventually this technology is expected to become available to the general user.
QTC sheets allow a quick switch from high to low resistance and vice versa.
[7] In February 2008 the newly formed company QIO Systems Inc gained, in a deal with Peratech, the worldwide exclusive license to the intellectual property and design rights for the electronics and textile touchpads based on QTC technology[8] and for the manufacture and sale of ElekTex (QTC-based) textile touchpads for use in both consumer and commercial applications.