COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING PATHANAPURAM
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENECE
HYBRID FLEXIBLE NFC SENSOR
ON PAPER
Seminar Coordinators: ABHIJITH BABU
Dr.Praveen K Wilson PEC21CS002
Mrs.Rana Surendran
Seminar Guide:
Mrs.Rana Surendran
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
LITERATURE REVIEW
METHODOLOGY
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
CONCLUSION
FUTURE SCOPE
REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
In the last two decades, collaborative efforts across various fields have led to the creation of
flexible, adaptable devices that are central to Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems in areas like
healthcare, sports, well-being, and environmental monitoring.
This paper introduces a groundbreaking, eco-friendly
NFC sensor made from paper that can track health
information, even in everyday items like sanitary napkins.
It details the sensor's creation, materials, and testing.
These affordable, flexible sensors not only advance
wearable tech but also help cut down on electronic
waste, paving the way for a greener future.
LITERATURE REVIEW
ADVANCES IN HEALTHCARE WEARABLE
DEVICES -
Sheikh M. A. Iqbal , Imadeldin Mahgoub , E Du , Mary Ann Leavitt and Waseem Asghar
Wearable devices are used for monitoring cardiovascular, neurological, and psychological
diseases, and have shown promise in drug delivery systems.
Includes skin-based, textile-based, and biofluidic-based wearables.
ADVANTAGES -
Convenience: Wearable devices offer unparalleled convenience and productivity
enhancements across diverse sectors, from healthcare to business.
Accurate Data: Wearables provide accurate data, cutting through bias and guesswork.
DISADVANTAGES -
Cost Constraints: Some wearables can be expensive, limiting their accessibility for certain
patient populations.
Platform Dependencies: Wearables often rely on specific platforms or ecosystems, which may
limit interoperability and data sharing.
PH SENSORS WITH LITHIUM LANTHANUM TITANATE
SENSITIVE MATERIAL: APPLICATIONS IN FOOD INDUSTRY -
Cl. Bohnke , H. Duroy, J.L. Fourquet
This Paper is about a study that explores using a special material called LLTO for pH sensors,
which measure acidity levels.
These sensors are useful in the food industry, like in monitoring milk fermentation and cleaning
equipment.
ADVANTAGES -
High Performance Material: The use of LLTO offers high lithium ion conductivity, making it an
effective material for pH sensors.
Industrial Applications
DISADVANTAGES -
Limited Testing: The study focuses on specific applications within the food industry, so the
sensor’s effectiveness in other industries or broader contexts is not fully explored.
ARTIFICIAL SOMATOSENSORS: FEEDBACK
RECEPTORS FOR ELECTRONIC SKINS -
Md. Ataur Rahman, Sumeet Walia, Sumaiya Naznee, Mohammad Taha, Shruti Nirantar, Fahmida Rahman,
Madhu Bhaskaran, and Sharath Sriram
This is a research paper discussing the development of artificial somatosensors that mimic the
feedback response of human skin receptors.
The paper introduces the concept of replicating three critical skin receptors: Pacinian
corpuscles (for pressure), thermoreceptors (for temperature), and nociceptors (for pain).
The study demonstrates the receptors' ability to detect and respond to stimuli with real-life
performance characteristics, contributing to advancements in electronic skin, healthcare, and
robotics.
ARTIFICIAL SOMATOSENSORS: FEEDBACK
RECEPTORS FOR ELECTRONIC SKINS -
Md. Ataur Rahman, Sumeet Walia, Sumaiya Naznee, Mohammad Taha, Shruti Nirantar, Fahmida Rahman,
Madhu Bhaskaran, and Sharath Sriram
ADVANTAGES -
Innovative Design: The paper presents a novel approach to mimicking human skin receptors
using artificial somatosensors, which is a significant advancement in electronic skin technology.
Real-Life Application Potential: The development of these sensors can have substantial
applications in healthcare, such as in prosthetics, and in intelligent robotics, enhancing machine-
human interaction.
DISADVANTAGES -
Durability Concerns.
Complex Fabrication Process: The creation of these artificial receptors involves a complex and
intricate fabrication process, which might be challenging to replicate or scale up in a cost-
effective manner.
METHODOLOGY
COMMERCIAL SILVER INK
1. MATERIALS
Inks:
Commercial silver ink (Sigma-Aldrich, silver dispersion): Used to print the antenna and
electrical connections. Silver ink is conductive, making it suitable for creating electrical circuits.
Graphene ink: Used to print the strain gauge and the pH sensor. Graphene is a single layer of
carbon atoms known for its strength and conductivity.
Substrates:
PEL P60 paper: A specialized type of paper used as a substrate.
Commercial copy paper and sanitary napkins: Everyday materials also used as substrates.
Spin-coated polyimide films: Thin films made of polyimide, applied via a spin-coating process.
Polyimide is known for its heat resistance and electrical properties.
PEDOT
Ink:
PEDOT(Heraeus Clevios PH1000): A commercially available conductive polymer ink that was
modified in two different ways for printing humidity sensors.
1. PEDOT
/EG:
Modified by adding 5 mL of ethylene glycol (EG).
2.PEDOT
/DMSO: PEDOT
Modified by adding 5 wt% of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a solvent that improves the
conductivity of PEDOT.
2. FABRICATION OF THE
FPSMS
Structure:
FPSMs are made of several layers: a
FPSMS
plastic base (PET), a transparent
conductive layer (ITO), a layer of tin
oxide (SnO2), a light-absorbing layer
(Perovskite), a hole transport layer
(Spiro-OMeTAD), and a gold back
contact layer (Au).
Making the FPSMs:
1. Initial Step: A laser is used to remove part of the transparent conductive layer (ITO) to define
the size of each solar cell.
2. Adding Layers: Other layers are added by spinning the substrate while applying the materials.
3. Removing Layers: Another laser step removes some of the Perovskite, SnO2, and Spiro-
OMeTAD layers to expose the underlying conductive layer where needed.
4. Final Step: A laser is also used to remove the gold layer in certain areas to separate the
individual cells electrically.
Details:
Aperture Ratio: About 87% of the module's area is used for capturing sunlight, while the rest is
non-active space.
3. FABRICATION OF THE NFC
SENSOR
Fabrication:
1. Printing the Antenna: The antenna and connections are printed onto a special paper (PEL P60)
using a special inkjet printer. The printer uses silver ink, applying three layers to ensure good
conductivity.
2. Heating the Paper: After printing, the paper is heated on a hot plate at 110°C for 30 minutes to
set the ink. The antenna's final resistance is about 30 ohms.
3. Adding Components: The NFC chip (which allows communication with smartphones) and
other small components (resistors and capacitors) are attached to a small flexible circuit
board. This circuit board is then glued to the paper.
Function:
Communication with Smartphones: The sensor can send data to a smartphone using the NFC
chip. The chip has special software that reads the sensor's resistance.
Data Conversion: The resistance value is measured by a part of the chip (an ADC) and sent to
the smartphone. The data is formatted like a web address (URL) so that when you tap the
sensor with your phone, it opens a web page.
4. FABRICATION OF GRAPHENE RESISTORS FOR STRAIN
SENSORS
Graphene electrodes were printed on PEL P60 paper using an inkjet printer with five layers of graphene ink.
Printing details: The printer used a 10 pL cartridge nozzle, with 20 µm spacing between drops, and was kept at
room temperature.
Sensor size: The sensor has a rectangular area of 10 × 0.5 mm.
Heating process: The printed sensors were heated at 110°C for 10 minutes to set the ink.
5. FABRICATION OF GRAPHENE RESISTORS FOR PH SENSING
Graphene electrodes were printed between gold electrodes on polyimide substrates.
Gold electrodes are covered with a polyimide film to prevent contact with solutions, except at the contact
area.
Printing details: Graphene was applied in 10, 20, and 30 layers using a 10 pL cartridge with 20 µm drop spacing,
at room temperature.
Sensor size: The sensor has a rectangular area of 1.5 × 0.6 mm.
Post-printing process: The electrodes were heated in a vacuum at 350°C for 1 hour to finalize the process.
6. FABRICATION OF PEDOT:PSS RESISTORS FOR HUMIDITY
DETECTION
PEDOT electrodes were printed on commercial copy paper with 10, 15, and 20 layers using a 10 pL cartridge
and 20 µm drop spacing at room temperature.
Sensor size: The sensor measures 6 × 1.6 mm.
Post-printing: The electrodes were heated on a hot plate at 120°C for 30 minutes to complete the process.
7. ELECTRICAL CHARACTERIZATION
Electrical Measurements: All tests were done in normal room conditions.
Resistance Measurement: The resistance of graphene and PEDOT
electrodes was checked using a Keithley SCS4200 parameter analyzer with a two-point-probe setup.
Performance Testing: The FPSMs were tested for current density and voltage using a Sun simulator and a
smartphone flashlight.
8. BENDING CHARACTERIZATION
All measurements were taken by attaching the electrode to the outer or inner surface of cylinders with
curvature radii of 0.6, 2, 3, and 5.5 cm.
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Strain Sensing: The graphene-based strain sensors were tested on a paper substrate. The system accurately measured how
resistance changed when the material was stretched or compressed. Stretching increased resistance, while compressing
decreased it. The system worked well in both battery-powered and NFC-powered modes.
pH Sensing: Graphene electrodes were used to measure pH levels. The sensors showed that as the pH increased, the
resistance also increased. The most stable and sensitive results came from using a thicker, 30-layer electrode.
Humidity Sensing: Sensors made from PEDOT were tested on various paper types. These sensors effectively detected changes
in humidity by measuring resistance changes. The sensors were also resilient to bending, showing that they could work well in
flexible, wearable applications.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Advantages:
1. Flexibility: The sensors are built on flexible substrates like paper and polyimide, making them suitable for
wearable and adaptable applications.
2. Cost-Effective: Using materials like paper and inkjet printing techniques makes the production process
cheaper compared to traditional electronics.
3. Environmentally Friendly: Paper as a substrate is biodegradable, which is better for the environment compared
to plastic-based electronics.
Disadvantages:
1. Durability: Paper substrates might not be as durable as plastic or silicon, potentially limiting the lifespan of the
sensors in harsh environments.
2. Limited Data Range: NFC communication typically works over short distances, which may restrict the sensor’s
use in applications requiring long-range data transmission.
3. Power Limitations: In passive mode, the sensor’s functionality is limited by the power provided by NFC, which
might not be sufficient for more power-intensive tasks.
CONCLUSION
The study created and tested flexible sensors for measuring strain, pH, and humidity using materials like graphene
and PEDOT
These sensors were successfully printed on paper and other flexible materials, proving that they can work
effectively in wearable and eco-friendly devices.
This can be used for :
1. Wearable Health Monitoring: These sensors can be embedded in wearable devices to monitor physical and
chemical parameters like body movement, sweat pH, and skin moisture.
2. Smart Hygiene Products: They can be integrated into products like bandages or sanitary napkins to track health
indicators and provide real-time data.
3. Environmental Monitoring: The sensors could be used in everyday objects to monitor environmental
conditions, such as humidity levels in different settings.
4. IoT Applications: With NFC capability, these sensors can be part of Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems, enabling
smart objects to communicate data to smartphones for analysis and monitoring.
FUTURE SCOPE
They can evolve into more advanced wearable
health monitoring devices, providing real-time
data for medical diagnostics and personalized
healthcare.
As manufacturing processes improve, these
sensors could become more sensitive and
durable, making them ideal for integration into
smart packaging, environmental monitoring
systems, and IoT applications
REFERENCES
1. Advances in healthcare wearable devices
- Sheikh M. A. Iqbal , Imadeldin Mahgoub , E
Du , Mary Ann Leavitt and Waseem Asghar.
2. pH sensors with lithium lanthanum
titanate sensitive material: applications
in food industry - Cl. Bohnke , H. Duroy,
J.L. Fourquet.
3. Artificial Somatosensors: Feedback
Receptors for Electronic Skins - Md. Ataur
Rahman, Sumeet Walia, Sumaiya Naznee,
Mohammad Taha, Shruti Nirantar, Fahmida
Rahman, Madhu Bhaskaran, and Sharath
Sriram
