Direct Ink Writing of Skin-Mountable Free-Form Thermoelectric Sensors Based on Ag₂Te Composites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Robotics

Background:

• Flexible thermoelectric sensors generate electricity from temperature differences, ideal for self-powered devices.
• Wearable electronics and soft robotics require sensors with mechanical flexibility and environmental stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a skin-mountable, free-form thermoelectric sensor using direct ink writing.
• To optimize a printable composite ink for high thermoelectric performance and print fidelity.
• To demonstrate the sensor's capability for localized thermal stimuli detection in wearable applications.

Main Methods:

• Direct ink writing of a printable Ag@Ag2Te/Ag composite ink.
• Optimization of hybrid material morphology, Ag/Te stoichiometry, and ink rheology.
• Fabrication of a fan-shaped sensor for skin-mounting and thermal detection.

Main Results:

• Achieved high thermoelectric response and print fidelity simultaneously.
• Demonstrated stable sensor output under high humidity and mechanical deformation.
• Successfully created a fan-shaped sensor for reliable temperature-dependent response on a fingertip.

Conclusions:

• Direct ink writing enables customizable, self-powered thermoelectric sensors.
• The developed sensor shows promise for integration into wearable electronics and soft robotics.
• Optimized composite ink ensures robust performance for flexible thermoelectric applications.