Abstract
Abstract-The management of electronics waste and the development of sustainable end-of-life strategies are key aspects of the green evolution of the electronics industry. To address this global issue, we implemented thin-film resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) using green sensing metals, such as Mg, Mo, and Zn, and poly-ether ether ketone (PEEK), as a biocompatible, flexible and thermally resistant substrate. The environmentally friendly RTDs were characterized in a range of temperature, from 25°C to 70°C, showing consistent response and average sensitivities of 1.1 × 10 -1 %/°C, 7 × 10 -2 %/°C, and 5.8 × 10 -2 %/°C for Mg, Mo and Zn, respectively. At a constant temperature 25°C, the effect of humidity variation from 10% to 90% on the resistance of the sensors were observed to be 2.0 × 10 -5 %/RH, 3.4 × 10 -2 %/RH and 5 × 10 -3 %/RH, respectively for Mg, Mo, and Zn RTDs. Furthermore, the sensor’s response to mechanical strain was evaluated by bending the devices down to a 10 mm bending radius. In addition, the dissolution of the green RTDs in water allows the re-usability of the substrate for a new fabrication batch, minimizing the amount of electronics waste generated. Through this study, a promising solution to environmental concerns, realizing is endowed for realising temperature sensors, with applications in green and sustainable wearable systems is demonstrated.