Ecoresorbable chipless temperature-responsive tag made from biodegradable materials for sustainable IoT

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Sustainable Technology
• Sensors and Actuators

Background:

• Cold chain management is critical for perishable product safety, relying on devices like data loggers and RFID tags.
• Existing temperature monitoring devices often contain non-eco-friendly components, leading to disposal and recycling challenges.
• There is a need for sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions for temperature monitoring in the cold chain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a fully ecoresorbable, chipless, and wireless temperature-responsive tag.
• To develop a sustainable thermal indicator for detecting temperature excursions in the cold chain.
• To demonstrate a novel approach to temperature tracking using bio-based phase-changing materials.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a tag on a poly(β-hydroxybutyrate)-cellulose composite substrate.
• Integration of a wireless RLC circuit with printed zinc metallic traces encapsulated in beeswax.
• Utilization of bio-based phase-changing materials (olive, jojoba, coconut oils) for irreversible resonance frequency shifts.
• Incorporation of a cellulose capillary element for oil absorption and operational stability.

Main Results:

• The tag demonstrated irreversible resonance frequency shifts exceeding 30 MHz at specific melting points (8°C, 15°C, 25°C).
• The device operated reliably at various inclinations (0° to 90°) due to efficient oil absorption.
• The ecoresorbable tag disintegrated completely in a compost environment within 9 weeks.
• The developed technology offers a sustainable, chipless, wireless solution for cold chain temperature monitoring.

Conclusions:

• This work presents a fully ecoresorbable, chipless, wireless temperature tag as an advanced thermal indicator.
• The developed technology addresses the environmental concerns associated with traditional cold chain monitoring devices.
• The material selection, manufacturing, and end-of-life disposal demonstrate a holistic sustainable approach for temperature-excursion detection.