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Optimal bilayer composites for temperature-tracking wireless electronics
Doyoung Kim1, Wooseok Kim1, Jihwan Kim1
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Korea. sangminwon@skku.edu.
Nanoscale
|February 27, 2024
Summary
This study developed advanced silicone epidermal electronics for precise body temperature monitoring. The innovative design uses a multi-layered composite to insulate against external heat while efficiently conducting heat from the skin.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Wearable Technology
Background:
- Silicone-based epidermal electronics are crucial for real-time body temperature sensing in preventive medicine and post-surgical monitoring.
- A key challenge is regulating heat transfer between the electronics and the environment, affecting sensor accuracy.
- Existing flexible electronics struggle with thermal management, limiting their application in dynamic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a cost-effective, multi-layered elastomeric composite for advanced epidermal electronic temperature sensors.
- To optimize thermal insulation for air-contact surfaces and thermal conductivity for skin-contact surfaces.
- To ensure mechanical compatibility (low modulus, high stretchability) with biological tissues.
Main Methods:
- Embedding wireless electronics within a novel multi-layered elastomeric composite.
- Incorporating hollow silica microspheres into the encapsulating layer to reduce thermal conductivity.
- Integrating non-spherical aluminum nitride into the substrate layer to enhance thermal conductivity.
- Engineering two composite elements with matching low modulus (3.4 MPa) and high stretchability (>30%).
Main Results:
- Reduced thermal conductivity by 40% in the encapsulating layer using silica microspheres.
- Increased thermal conductivity by 370% in the substrate layer using aluminum nitride.
- Achieved a consistent low modulus of 3.4 MPa and stretchability exceeding 30% for both composite layers.
- Confirmed precise body temperature monitoring capabilities over a single day, including the impact of behavioral factors.
Conclusions:
- The developed multi-layered composite effectively addresses thermal management challenges in epidermal electronics.
- The sensor demonstrates high accuracy for body temperature monitoring with excellent mechanical properties.
- This technology advances wearable sensors for continuous health monitoring and personalized medicine.
