Abstract
Inkjet-printers from the company Epson and others can be used to fabricate low-cost sensors on coated PET films. By using nanoparticle-based dispersions resistive temperature dependent sensors, strain gauges, thermocouples and pressure sensors can be fabricated. For these purposes the gauge factors, Seebeck coefficients and temperature coefficients of resistance for Ag, Carbon Black and PEDOT:PSS dispersions on Mitsubishi® and Pelikan® PET substrates are characterized. Furthermore, piezoresistive effects in transverse and longitudinal strain directions are discussed. Additionally, a printed sensor system for measuring strains within a surface is presented. Finally, an injection-moulding process and a lamination process are used to improve the mechanical scratching of those sensors.