Temperature-Responsive Hybrid Composite with Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance for Wearable Thermotherapy Pads
Carbon-based polymer composites are widely used in wearable devices due to their exceptional electrical conductivity and flexibility. However, their temperature-dependent resistance variations pose significant challenges to device safety and performance. A negative temperature coefficient (NTC) can...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Micromachines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/1/108 |
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| author | Ji-Yoon Ahn Dong-Kwan Lee Min-Gi Kim Won-Jin Kim Sung-Hoon Park |
| author_facet | Ji-Yoon Ahn Dong-Kwan Lee Min-Gi Kim Won-Jin Kim Sung-Hoon Park |
| author_sort | Ji-Yoon Ahn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Carbon-based polymer composites are widely used in wearable devices due to their exceptional electrical conductivity and flexibility. However, their temperature-dependent resistance variations pose significant challenges to device safety and performance. A negative temperature coefficient (NTC) can lead to overcurrent risks, while a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) compromises accuracy. In this study, we present a novel hybrid composite combining carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with NTC properties and carbon black (CB) with PTC properties to achieve a near-zero temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) at an optimal ratio. This innovation enhances the safety and reliability of carbon-based polymer composites for wearable heating applications. Furthermore, a thermochromic pigment layer is integrated into the hybrid composite, enabling visual temperature indication across three distinct zones. This bilayer structure not only addresses the TCR challenge but also provides real-time, user-friendly temperature monitoring. The resulting composite demonstrates consistent performance and high precision under diverse heating conditions, making it ideal for wearable thermotherapy pads. This study highlights a significant advancement in developing multifunctional, temperature-responsive materials, offering a promising solution for safer and more controllable wearable devices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-54fc47cf11ff4c9991e84c21be232a91 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj-art-54fc47cf11ff4c9991e84c21be232a912025-01-24T13:42:12ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2025-01-0116110810.3390/mi16010108Temperature-Responsive Hybrid Composite with Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance for Wearable Thermotherapy PadsJi-Yoon Ahn0Dong-Kwan Lee1Min-Gi Kim2Won-Jin Kim3Sung-Hoon Park4Department of Mechanical Engineering, Soongsil University, 369 Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06978, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Soongsil University, 369 Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06978, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Soongsil University, 369 Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06978, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Soongsil University, 369 Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06978, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Soongsil University, 369 Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06978, Republic of KoreaCarbon-based polymer composites are widely used in wearable devices due to their exceptional electrical conductivity and flexibility. However, their temperature-dependent resistance variations pose significant challenges to device safety and performance. A negative temperature coefficient (NTC) can lead to overcurrent risks, while a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) compromises accuracy. In this study, we present a novel hybrid composite combining carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with NTC properties and carbon black (CB) with PTC properties to achieve a near-zero temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) at an optimal ratio. This innovation enhances the safety and reliability of carbon-based polymer composites for wearable heating applications. Furthermore, a thermochromic pigment layer is integrated into the hybrid composite, enabling visual temperature indication across three distinct zones. This bilayer structure not only addresses the TCR challenge but also provides real-time, user-friendly temperature monitoring. The resulting composite demonstrates consistent performance and high precision under diverse heating conditions, making it ideal for wearable thermotherapy pads. This study highlights a significant advancement in developing multifunctional, temperature-responsive materials, offering a promising solution for safer and more controllable wearable devices.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/1/108carbon-based polymer compositeJoule heatingzero TCRthermotherapy pad |
| spellingShingle | Ji-Yoon Ahn Dong-Kwan Lee Min-Gi Kim Won-Jin Kim Sung-Hoon Park Temperature-Responsive Hybrid Composite with Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance for Wearable Thermotherapy Pads Micromachines carbon-based polymer composite Joule heating zero TCR thermotherapy pad |
| title | Temperature-Responsive Hybrid Composite with Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance for Wearable Thermotherapy Pads |
| title_full | Temperature-Responsive Hybrid Composite with Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance for Wearable Thermotherapy Pads |
| title_fullStr | Temperature-Responsive Hybrid Composite with Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance for Wearable Thermotherapy Pads |
| title_full_unstemmed | Temperature-Responsive Hybrid Composite with Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance for Wearable Thermotherapy Pads |
| title_short | Temperature-Responsive Hybrid Composite with Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resistance for Wearable Thermotherapy Pads |
| title_sort | temperature responsive hybrid composite with zero temperature coefficient of resistance for wearable thermotherapy pads |
| topic | carbon-based polymer composite Joule heating zero TCR thermotherapy pad |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/1/108 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jiyoonahn temperatureresponsivehybridcompositewithzerotemperaturecoefficientofresistanceforwearablethermotherapypads AT dongkwanlee temperatureresponsivehybridcompositewithzerotemperaturecoefficientofresistanceforwearablethermotherapypads AT mingikim temperatureresponsivehybridcompositewithzerotemperaturecoefficientofresistanceforwearablethermotherapypads AT wonjinkim temperatureresponsivehybridcompositewithzerotemperaturecoefficientofresistanceforwearablethermotherapypads AT sunghoonpark temperatureresponsivehybridcompositewithzerotemperaturecoefficientofresistanceforwearablethermotherapypads |