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Printable NTC Sensor

Patent-protected printed NTC sensor — under 25 μm thin, configurable as point, line or area. Cost-effective alternative to SMD NTC sensors.

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Printable NTC Sensor

Challenge

Traditional SMD NTC sensors are point-measurement devices requiring pick-and-place assembly, adding cost and limiting spatial coverage. They have fixed form factors that cannot adapt to curved or flexible surfaces. For applications requiring temperature monitoring over larger areas or integration into thin-film heating systems, conventional approaches add complexity, assembly steps and cost that are disproportionate to the sensing function.

Our Solution

ATT's printable NTC sensor is screen-printed directly onto substrates at under 25 μm thickness — making it effectively invisible on surfaces. Unlike SMD sensors that only measure at a single point, this sensor can be configured as a point sensor, line sensor or area sensor, covering regions and geometries that traditional components cannot address. It integrates seamlessly into ATT's printed heaters, creating a single-foil heating + sensing solution. It is back-injection moldable for integration into plastic parts, eliminating the pick-and-place machine, soldering and associated assembly costs.

How It Works

1

Sensor Design & Layout

Based on your application requirements, we define the optimal sensor type (point, line or area), geometry and resistance characteristics. Integration into existing heater foils is designed at this stage if applicable.

2

Printing & Processing

NTC ink is screen-printed onto the target substrate with precisely controlled thickness (< 25 μm). The printing process enables seamless co-production with ATT heater elements on the same foil.

3

Integration

Sensor foils are delivered for lamination, back-injection molding or direct application. For combined heater + sensor foils, a single integration step covers both heating and temperature sensing functionality.

4

Testing & Qualification

Each sensor is electrically characterized and verified against specification. For automotive applications, full qualification per customer-specific requirements including thermal cycling and environmental testing.

Application Areas

Heated Interior Surfaces

Integrated directly into printed cabin heaters for armrests, door panels and dashboards. Combines heating and temperature sensing in a single foil — eliminating a separate sensor component.

Battery Temperature Monitoring

Area or line sensors printed onto battery cell surfaces or cooling plates. Provides spatial temperature coverage that point sensors cannot achieve, valuable for both development and series applications.

Industrial Process Control

Temperature monitoring on production equipment, heated tools, and process surfaces. The ultra-thin profile and wide temperature range (−55°C to +200°C) enable integration into heat-sensitive processes.

Flexible & Wearable Applications

The printable, ultra-thin form factor enables integration into flexible foils, textiles and wearable devices — applications where rigid SMD components are impractical or impossible.

Technical Data

Thickness < 25 μm
B25/100 3,000 K
R25 Range 5 – 200 kΩ
Temperature Range −55°C to +200°C
Temperature Accuracy ± 1 K
Sensor Types Point, line, area
Integration Printable, back-injection moldable
IP Status Patent-protected

Key Advantages

  • Ultra-thin (< 25 μm) — effectively invisible on surfaces
  • Freely configurable: point, line or area sensor geometry
  • Integrable into printed heaters — heating + sensing in one foil
  • Back-injection moldable into plastic parts
  • Wide temperature range: −55°C to +200°C
  • No pick-and-place assembly required — printed directly onto substrate
  • Cost-effective for large-area temperature monitoring
  • Patent-protected technology
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Frequently Asked Questions

How does a printed NTC sensor compare to a traditional SMD NTC?
A traditional SMD NTC is a rigid point sensor requiring pick-and-place machine placement and soldering — measuring temperature only where it is positioned. ATT's printed NTC is screen-printed at < 25 μm thickness and can be designed as a point, line or area sensor, providing temperature coverage across surfaces that SMD sensors cannot achieve. It eliminates assembly equipment costs and integrates directly into production workflows.
Can the NTC sensor be combined with ATT heater foils?
Yes. This is one of the key advantages. The NTC sensor can be printed onto the same substrate as ATT's silver or PTC heaters, creating a single-foil solution that provides both heating and temperature sensing. This eliminates a separate sensor component, simplifies integration and reduces system cost.
What does "area sensor" mean — is this a thermal camera?
No. An area sensor is a printed NTC element covering a defined surface region. It measures the average temperature across that area, providing better spatial representation than a point sensor. It is not a thermal imaging device but rather an extended-geometry resistive temperature sensor.
Can the sensor be back-injection molded into plastic parts?
Yes. ATT's printed NTC sensor is fully compatible with back-injection molding — the same process used for our heater foils. The sensor becomes an inseparable part of the plastic component, invisible from the surface. This enables integrated temperature sensing in injection-molded parts without any additional assembly.
What accuracy does the printed NTC sensor achieve?
The standard accuracy specification is ± 1 K. The B25/100 value is 3,000 K with a resistance range of 5–200 kΩ at 25°C. The operating temperature range spans −55°C to +200°C. For specific accuracy requirements, contact us to discuss custom formulations.
Is the printed NTC sensor available as a standalone product?
Yes. While the sensor is often integrated into ATT heater foils, it is also available as a standalone sensing solution. ATT is a serial supplier for printed NTC sensors, typically supplying to Tier 1 suppliers or partnering with injection molding companies to deliver directly to the OEM.

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