Accurate temperature field measurement provides critical information in many scientific problems. Herein, a new paradigm for highly sensitive, flexible, negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor‐based artificial skin is reported, with the highest temperature sensing ability reported to date among previously reported NTC thermistors. This artificial skin is achieved through the development of a novel monolithic laser‐induced reductive sintering scheme and unique monolithic structures. The unique seamless monolithic structure simultaneously integrates two different components (a metal electrode and metal oxide sensing channel) from the same material at ambient pressure, which cannot be achieved by conventional heterogeneous integration through multiple, complex steps of photolithography or vacuum deposition. In addition to superior performance, electronic skin with high temperature sensitivity can be fabricated on heat‐sensitive polymer substrates due to the low‐temperature requirements of the process. As a proof of concept, temperature‐sensitive artificial skin is tested with conformally attachable physiological temperature sensor arrays in the measurement of the temperatures of exhaled breath for the early detection of pathogenic progression in the respiratory system. The proposed highly sensitive flexible temperature sensor and monolithic selective laser reductive sintering are expected to greatly contribute to the development of essential components in various emerging research fields, including soft robotics and healthcare systems.
In article number 1905527, Daeho Lee, Seung Hwan Ko, and co‐workers present the development of selective laser reduction of metal nanoparticles for the creation of a monolithic artificial skin‐like soft temperature sensor with an extremely high sensitivity. The proposed highly sensitive flexible temperature sensor is applied to soft robotics and healthcare system applications.
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