Sensitive Wearable Temperature Sensor with Seamless Monolithic Integration

Abstract

Accurate temperature field measurement provides critical information in many scientific problems. Herein, a new paradigm for highly sensitive, flexible, negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor‐based artificial skin is reported, with the highest temperature sensing ability reported to date among previously reported NTC thermistors. This artificial skin is achieved through the development of a novel monolithic laser‐induced reductive sintering scheme and unique monolithic structures. The unique seamless monolithic structure simultaneously integrates two different components (a metal electrode and metal oxide sensing channel) from the same material at ambient pressure, which cannot be achieved by conventional heterogeneous integration through multiple, complex steps of photolithography or vacuum deposition. In addition to superior performance, electronic skin with high temperature sensitivity can be fabricated on heat‐sensitive polymer substrates due to the low‐temperature requirements of the process. As a proof of concept, temperature‐sensitive artificial skin is tested with conformally attachable physiological temperature sensor arrays in the measurement of the temperatures of exhaled breath for the early detection of pathogenic progression in the respiratory system. The proposed highly sensitive flexible temperature sensor and monolithic selective laser reductive sintering are expected to greatly contribute to the development of essential components in various emerging research fields, including soft robotics and healthcare systems.

Printable, Highly Sensitive Flexible Temperature Sensors for Human Body Temperature Monitoring: A Review

“…Compared with traditional temperature thermistors that require high temperature and a variety of complex processes to activate the sensing function, LDW can achieve selective annealing on a predetermined pattern. A novel integral laser induced by Shin et al [170] The laser-induced reduction sintering (m-LRS) fabricating scheme can also reduce metal oxide NPs during the annealing process. Scratch NiO NPs ink on a fragile PET substrate, and use m-LRS technology to directly reduce NiO to pattern a linear Ni electrode to form a planar Ni-NiO-Ni heterostructure (as shown in Fig.…”

“…The fabricating process of flexible electronic equipment plays a vital role in the production of the device and can effectively improve the sensitivity of the flexible temperature sensor. Just as Shin et al [170] used a rapid overall laser-induced reduction sintering (m-LRS) method for fabricating Ni/NiO flexible temperature sensor is different from the inkjet printing method. They directly reduce and sinter the Ni electrode on the NiO layer, and form a high-quality overall contact between the metal electrode (Ni) and the temperature-sensitive material (NiO).…”

Development of Wearable Temperature Sensor Based on Peltier Thermoelectric Device to Change Human Body Temperature

“…(14) A high-tech temperature sensor to measure the temperature of exhaled breath and detect pathogenic progression has been proposed. (15) A flexible wearable thermoelectric nanogenerator made from Bi 2 Te 3 was proposed for use in next-generation wearable temperature sensors; this material can be easily incorporated into textiles. (16) A stretchable temperature sensor that removes strain was developed for use in smart healthcare devices.…”

Continuous-Wave Laser-Induced Transfer of Metal Nanoparticles to Arbitrary Polymer Substrates

“…Moreover, since the laser parameters are highly controllable, the SLS process was confirmed to be applicable to the creation of a metal layer on flexible substrates which are sensitive to heat. The SLS process was first applied to noble metal NPs such as gold (Au) [8] and silver (Ag) [9,10], but the range of applicable NPs is being expanded to include more cost-effective materials such as copper (Cu) [11,12] and nickel (Ni) [13,14] through the reductive sintering process.…”