High-temperature flexible heat flux sensors

High-temperature heat flux sensors play a pivotal role in detecting the dynamic heat exchange processes of heating and cooling, in high-temperature environments. However, the detection of surface heat flux on curved parts operating at high temperatures remains a formidable challenge. Flexible thin-film heat flux sensors, while offering benefits such as conformal adhesion and excellent portability, are typically limited by low operational temperatures and narrow measurement ranges. This work proposes a high-temperature flexible heat flux sensor based on multi-layered high-temperature resistant ceramics nanofibre membranes that one layer worked as a substrate and the other two work as thermal resistance layers, and direct ink writing platinum sensitive elements with Wheatstone Bridge configuration. The prototype sensor is capable of quantifying heat flux reaching 1330 kW/m 2 and withstands temperature as high as 1200 °C. The sensor is bendable with resistance change only about 0.5 % even when the bending radius was larger than 10 mm. These extraordinary characteristics indicate that such methodology will offer a new way for the development of high-temperature thin-film flexible heat flux sensors, demonstrating considerable potential for applications in high-temperature environments.