title: Inkjet-Printed Graphene/PEDOT:PSS Temperature Sensors on a Skin-Conformable Polyurethane Substrate.
abstract: Epidermal electronic systems (EESs) are skin-like electronic systems, which can be used to measure several physiological parameters from the skin. This paper presents materials and a simple, straightforward fabrication process for skin-conformable inkjet-printed temperature sensors. Epidermal temperature sensors are already presented in some studies, but they are mainly fabricated using traditional photolithography processes. These traditional fabrication routes have several processing steps and they create a substantial amount of material waste. Hence utilizing printing processes, the EES may become attractive for disposable systems by decreasing the manufacturing costs and reducing the wasted materials. In this study, the sensors are fabricated with inkjet-printed graphene/PEDOT:PSS ink and the printing is done on top of a skin-conformable polyurethane plaster (adhesive bandage). Sensor characterization was conducted both in inert and ambient atmosphere and the graphene/PEDOT:PSS temperature sensors (thermistors) were able reach higher than 0.06% per degree Celsius sensitivity in an optimal environment exhibiting negative temperature dependence.
authors.affiliation: Tampere University of Technology, Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Korkeakoulunkatu 3, 33720, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vuorinen
authors.affiliation: Tampere University of Technology, Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Korkeakoulunkatu 3, 33720, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Niittynen
authors.affiliation: Tampere University of Technology, Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Korkeakoulunkatu 3, 33720, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kankkunen
authors.affiliation: Tampere University of Technology, Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Korkeakoulunkatu 3, 33720, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kraft
authors.affiliation: Tampere University of Technology, Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Korkeakoulunkatu 3, 33720, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mäntysalo
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D004566:Electrodes; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007281:Ink; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011137:Polystyrenes; D011140:Polyurethanes; D006108:Graphite