2D Thermal Imaging Sensor Using Thermoelectric Effect Based on Carbon Nanotube

Thermal imaging has applications in non-destructive imaging, testing, detection, and many more areas. Here, we demonstrate a thermal imaging sensor design made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using thermoelectric effect. We designed the sensor device consisted of an array of p-type CNT fibers that crisscross with another array of n-type CNT fibers. Temperature differences between different p-n fiber knots produce voltage differences. Measuring the voltage differences between p and n terminals of each knot, temperature of each knot can be determined and thermal image of the object can be obtained. For a 7×7 sensor array, p-n terminal voltage difference of ~0.22 mV was attained for a temperature difference of 100 K. As CNT gives flexibility and tunability of Seebeck coefficient in device, this thermal sensor device can be made wearable with nano-range thermal imaging with extreme precision.