Novel thermoelectric temperature sensors

Nearly every industrial application needs temperature measurement. Typical temperature sensors are based on thermocouples or resistance elements. Nevertheless, these sensors are not always desired for every application. For example, temperature sensing of fluids or gases in pipes. A standard sensor inside such a material flow has an influence on the flow itself (flow resistance, turbulences) which would lead to incorrect temperature result. Additionally, application that need periodical cleaning of their pipe system (food or pharmaceutical production) can't use such sensors because of hygienically reasons. Novel thermoelectric temperature sensors, which could reduce the previously demonstrated problems have been developed as part of a research project. The basic idea of the novel sensor concept is to use thick film technology to enable novel sensor geometries. The typical use of thick film technology is realization of ceramic circuit boards, in which metal-based thick film pastes were screen printed and fired as conductive material. The sensor concept uses a combination of different commercially available metal-based pastes (platinum, silver, nickel, gold) to creates thermocouples based on the Seebeck effect.