Printed Ionic Thermal Sensor Composition for Flexible Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature sensing materials, such as NTC thermistor-based ceramic/metal composites and resistance temperature detectors, are complex to manufacture, expensive, and not suitable for flexible or large-scale applications due to their stiffness and non-printability.
Innovation Solution
A thermal sensor comprising an ionically conductive composition made of an ionic liquid and a thermoplastic resin, which allows for easy fabrication and direct application on surfaces, including skin, through printing technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NTC thermistor-based ceramic/metal composites are used for temperature sensing, then high thermal coefficient and good stability are achieved, but the materials are complicated to manufacture and not suitable for flexible applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by replacing traditional ceramic/metal composites with organic-inorganic hybrid materials containing ionic liquids. This parameter change enables the material to maintain temperature sensing stability while achieving flexibility and simplifying manufacturing processes through solution-based fabrication methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining ionic liquids with thermoplastic resins or elastomers. This composite approach allows the material to inherit the thermal stability from the polymer matrix while the ionic liquid provides the temperature-dependent conductivity, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture
2Measurement precision
If NTC thermistor-based ceramic/metal composites are used, then accurate temperature sensing is achieved, but the materials are stiff and not printable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties by transitioning from rigid ceramic/metal composites to soft organic-inorganic hybrid materials. This parameter change enables the material to be printed using conventional printing techniques while maintaining temperature sensing accuracy through the ionic liquid's electrical conductivity properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible polymer matrices (thermoplastic resins or elastomers) to encapsulate the ionic liquid, creating thin-film structures that can be conformally deposited on various surfaces. This approach maintains measurement precision while achieving the required flexibility and adaptability for wearable and conformal applications
3Measurement precision
If resistance temperature detectors are used, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the devices are expensive and not straightforward to make on large scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts inexpensive organic-inorganic hybrid materials that can be mass-produced through solution-based printing techniques. This replaces expensive resistance temperature detectors with cost-effective printed sensors that maintain measurement precision while enabling large-scale production and disposable applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical assembly processes with direct printing fabrication. The ionic liquid-based composition can be directly printed as a functional layer, eliminating the need for complex assembly steps required by traditional resistance temperature detectors, thereby improving productivity and reducing costs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ionically conductive composition provides a high thermal coefficient of resistance, enabling accurate temperature sensing across large areas while being flexible, cost-effective, and skin-compatible.
Implementation Method 1
The ionically conductive composition provides a high thermal coefficient of resistance, enabling accurate temperature sensing
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates a thermal sensor comprising an ionically conductive composition and a conductive layer, wherein said ionically conductive composition comprises an ionic liquid and a thermoplastic resin. The thermal sensor according to the present invention can be used for sensing a temperature from skin, a metal surface, and a conductive polymer