TOKYO—Japanese researchers have developed a micro-thin thermal sensor that can be attached directly to the skin, potentially useful in monitoring the health of infants or even making sportswear more comfortable.

The group said that the device, embedded in an ultra-fine film, can measure target temperatures between 25 and 50 degrees Celsius (77-122 F), a range that includes that of the human body.

The finding, made in collaboration with the University of Texas, was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week.

Professor Takao Someya, who heads a research team at the University of Tokyo working on such flexible devices, said that the electronic circuit composed of graphite and a semicrystalline acrylate polymer is just 15 micrometers in thickness, or about one fourth that of a human hair.

He said that the sensors can be printed onto adhesive plasters that can used to monitor body temperature.

"For example, a plaster applied directly to a wound or after surgery could provide warning of infection by detecting local changes in temperature due to inflammation," he told reporters on Monday.

"By putting it on the skin of a baby you can easily check the infant's body temperature... or the measuring of changes in body temperature over a large area could help develop comfortable (clothing)."

He added that the materials are cheap and widely used in manufacturing and envisions the device could be commercialized for practical use in as soon as three years.

The team tested the sensor by placing it directly on the lung of a rat to measure the organ's temperature.

"The device successfully measured cyclic changes in lung temperature of just 0.1 degree centigrade as the animal breathed, demonstrating its utility as a sensor for monitoring body vital signs in physiological settings," research associate Tomoyuki Yokota said.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2015

Webinar: Learn How PLM Solutions Can Boost Innovation and Strengthen Engineering and R&D Teams

An On Demand IndustryWeek and Machine Design-hosted webinar, sponsored by SAP

Originally Broadcast: February 25, 2020
Duration: 61 Minutes
Event Type: On Demand Webinar
Cost: Free

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Description

To stay competitive, engineering and R&D teams need to find ways to bring exciting new products to market faster, with higher quality and less cost. To do so, manufacturing leaders seek to create environments where top engineering talent can thrive. So, what are leaders investing in to meet these challenges and create that environment?

In this webinar, we will reveal the key insights gained through research into the engineering and design teams at some of the world’s most successful manufacturers around the world. Survey result insights to be discussed include:

How innovation leaders can break down silos and encourage collaboration and innovation
How advanced PLM solutions can help designers develop products for success through intelligent decision-making
How better product lifecycle management can improve development efficiency and reduce time-to-market
The most desirable Product Lifecycle Management solution features and benefits leaders are looking for.

If you want to be better informed about what investments will make the biggest difference for your engineering and R&D teams, don’t miss this virtual roundtable discussion with speakers:

Keith Zobott, Global Vice President of Digital Products & Projects, SAP

Brent Robertson, Co-Founder Fathom, Author of research study

A detailed report will follow this session summarizing our survey's results behind the findings.

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Speakers

Keith Zobott, Global Vice President of Digital Products & Projects, SAP

Keith Zobott's background includes over 30 years of experience with Product Lifecycle Management, parametric design, advanced analysis tools, product development technologies, and program management. Recent experience includes developing strategic plans for Enterprise Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and other product development enabling technologies for multi-billion dollar global businesses.

Brent Robertson, Co-Founder Fathom

Brent Robertson works with leaders to design futures worth fighting for. A partner at Fathom, he champions an approach to strategic planning, employee engagement, leadership succession and market differentiation that prioritizes people and relationships. As a result, his clients don’t simply plan their futures, they bring them to life through the energy of organization-wide involvement in, and commitment to, generating valuable businesses that matter.

Technical Details

This webinar will be conducted using a slides-audio-video format. After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with details for joining the webinar.

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