← All Solutions
Printed Temperature Sensing

Printable NTC Sensor

Printed NTC temperature sensor on thin foil substrates for surface-integrated measurement, thermal validation and hotspot detection in limited spaces.

Explore More Technologies Engineering Services
Printable NTC Sensor

Challenge

Conventional SMD temperature sensors work well in many electronics assemblies, but they are not ideal for every thermal measurement task. They add component height, need mechanical placement and soldering, and can be difficult to integrate between cells, inside thin material stacks or across functional surfaces. Engineers searching for a printed temperature sensor, a temperature sensor on foil or a thin NTC sensor usually need thermal data closer to the surface: for validation, hotspot detection, functional surfaces or battery cell/module monitoring. In some applications, temperature and mechanical pressure can change at the same time — for example when battery cells expand during charging or aging. In these cases, the sensing concept must fit the available space, surface geometry, substrate and readout electronics.

Our Solution

ATT's Printable NTC Sensor is a screen-printed temperature sensing layer based on ceramic NTC particles. It can be integrated as a very thin functional film on suitable foil or rigid substrates, with typical dry film thicknesses in the range of 20–30 μm depending on the final stack-up. The printed layout can be designed as a point sensor, an array, a strip or a hotspot-sensitive geometry. This makes it especially interesting for locations where conventional sensor packages are too high, too slow thermally or too difficult to integrate. For SEO and engineering clarity: it is not a generic thermal camera, but an application-specific printed NTC temperature sensor concept for surface measurement, thermal validation and integrated control. The final sensor concept considers resistance target, B-value, substrate, encapsulation, calibration and readout architecture from the beginning.

How It Works

1

Application & Measurement Concept

We first clarify the temperature range, available installation space, mechanical pressure situation, substrate, environmental exposure and readout electronics. This defines whether a point sensor, array, strip or hotspot-sensitive geometry is the right approach.

2

Printed NTC Layout

The NTC material is screen-printed on a suitable high-temperature-stable substrate such as polyimide or ceramic. Electrode layout, sensor area and resistance target are adapted to the application instead of using a fixed component package.

3

Protection & Integration

Depending on the environment, the sensor can be combined with a cover layer, encapsulation or barrier concept. This is important when humidity, liquids, lamination, molding or long-term stability have to be considered.

4

Characterization & Calibration

The printed sensors are electrically characterized. For precision applications, conditioning, calibration or trimming concepts can be used to align the resistance-temperature behavior with the required measurement accuracy.

Application Areas

Battery Cell & Module Monitoring

Thin printed temperature sensors can be placed in locations where component height matters, such as between cells or on battery surfaces. The concept is especially relevant when temperature and mechanical pressure changes must be considered separately.

Hotspot Detection on Surfaces

Printed strip or area geometries can be designed to react strongly to local hot spots. This allows larger surfaces to be monitored with fewer measurement channels than a dense array of individual point sensors.

Thermal Mapping & Sensor Arrays

Arrays of printed NTC elements can help measure temperature fields in development, validation and process-monitoring setups. Multiplexing concepts can reduce the number of external connections.

Thin Functional Surfaces

Printed NTC layers can be integrated into foils, heated surfaces, plastic parts or material stacks where a conventional sensor package would be visible, too thick or thermally too slow.

Technical Data

Sensor principle Printed NTC resistive layer
Typical dry film thickness 20–30 μm
Sensor geometries Point, array, strip, hotspot
Key parameters R20/R25 and B-value
Typical substrate Polyimide or ceramic
Process Screen printing
Protection Application-specific encapsulation
IP Status Patent-protected

Key Advantages

  • Very thin printed temperature sensing layer for constrained installation spaces
  • Designed to reduce pressure-related influence on the temperature signal
  • Configurable as point sensors, arrays, strips or hotspot-sensitive geometries
  • Suitable for printed temperature sensor on foil and surface-integrated sensing concepts
  • Low thermal mass can support fast response when the stack-up is designed accordingly
  • Resistance target and B-value can be adapted within the limits of the material and readout concept
  • Encapsulation, calibration and readout architecture are considered application by application
  • Patent-protected ATT technology based on printed ceramic NTC particles
Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a printed temperature sensor on foil?
A printed temperature sensor on foil is a thin resistive sensor layer printed onto a suitable flexible substrate, such as polyimide. In ATT's Printable NTC Sensor concept, ceramic NTC particles form the temperature-sensitive layer. This allows engineers to place thermal measurement closer to the surface, inside thin material stacks or near printed heater structures where a conventional packaged sensor may be too thick or difficult to integrate.
How is a printed NTC sensor different from a traditional SMD NTC?
A traditional SMD NTC is a small packaged component that must be placed and soldered. It is a proven solution for many electronics assemblies, but it adds component height and measures only at its installed point. A printed NTC sensor is a thin resistive layer printed on a suitable substrate. It can be designed as a point sensor, array, strip or surface geometry and can be integrated where a conventional package would be too thick, too visible or thermally too slow.
Why is pressure influence important for temperature sensing?
In some applications, mechanical pressure and temperature can change at the same time. Battery cells, for example, can expand during charging or aging. A temperature sensor should report temperature, not a mixed signal caused by pressure effects. ATT's printed NTC concept is designed to reduce pressure-related influence on the temperature signal, but the final behavior always depends on the complete application stack-up and validation.
Can the sensor be used for hotspot detection?
Yes, depending on the geometry and readout concept. A printed NTC strip or extended sensor area can be designed so that warmer regions have a stronger influence on the measured resistance. This can help detect hotspots across larger surfaces with fewer measurement channels. If the exact position or full temperature field is required, a sensor array with additional channels is usually more appropriate.
What accuracy can be achieved?
Accuracy depends on the target resistance, B-value, printing tolerances, substrate, encapsulation, calibration and readout electronics. For applications with tighter accuracy requirements, conditioning, calibration or trimming concepts can be evaluated. ATT defines the final accuracy target together with the customer application instead of treating the printed sensor as a one-size-fits-all component.
Does the sensor need encapsulation?
That depends on the operating environment. Like many resistive sensor concepts, an unprotected printed layer can be affected by humidity or media exposure. For precision applications or harsh environments, cover layers, encapsulation or barrier concepts should be designed into the sensor stack from the beginning.
Is the Printable NTC Sensor a direct replacement for every SMD temperature sensor?
No. If a standard SMD NTC already fits the space, response-time and assembly requirements, it may remain the best solution. The Printable NTC Sensor becomes interesting when the measurement location is difficult to access, the available space is extremely thin, the sensor should become part of a surface or foil, or an array/hotspot geometry is needed.

Related Solutions

Engineering Thermal Comfort Engineering R&D / Testing Battery Diagnostic System Automotive Vehicle Cabin Heating Automotive Seat Heating
Ready?

Let's Start Your Project

Ready for the next generation of thermal solutions? Contact our expert team.

Contact Us Get Started

Response within 24 hours • Free initial consultation