Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection

Marah Alassaf; Faezeh Arab Hassani

doi:10.1109/FLEPS65444.2025.11105606

Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection

Marah Alassaf^*
, Faezeh Arab Hassani

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

2 Citations (Scopus)

72 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Early detection for breast cancer is crucial for improving survival rates. This paper presents the development of a flexible temperature sensor array designed for non-invasive breast cancer detection. The system leverages temperature mapping to identify thermal changes associated with malignancies in the breast. The array includes single-walled carbon nanotube/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (SWCNT/PEDOT:PSS)-based temperature sensors. The array is fabricated on a 1μ m-thick polyimide substrate and encapsulated with a 500 nm-thick polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer. The array conforms well to any surface due to its thinness and has a high temperature sensitivity (−0.71%^∘C⁻¹), rapid response (1.5±0.1 s), and recovery times (4.1±0.3 s) across a linear detection range of 20−45^∘C. Experimental validation using a silicone-based breast phantom demonstrates the array's ability to detect temperature differences and map distributions across varying silicone thicknesses, simulating shallow and deep tumors. This work aims to contribute to advancing wearable sensor technology for early-stage breast cancer detection.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2025 IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS)
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Number of pages	4
ISBN (Electronic)	9798331509996
ISBN (Print)	9798331510008
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/FLEPS65444.2025.11105606
Publication status	Published - 6 Aug 2025
Event	IEEE International Conference on Flexible Printable Sensors and Systems - Singapore, Singapore Duration: 22 Jun 2025 → 25 Jun 2025 https://2025.ieee-fleps.org/

Publication series

Name	IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS)
Publisher	IEEE
ISSN (Print)	2832-8248
ISSN (Electronic)	2832-8256

Conference

Conference	IEEE International Conference on Flexible Printable Sensors and Systems
Abbreviated title	FLEPS 2025
Country/Territory	Singapore
City	Singapore
Period	22/06/25 → 25/06/25
Internet address	https://2025.ieee-fleps.org/

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 IEEE.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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10.1109/FLEPS65444.2025.11105606

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This is the accepted author manuscript (AAM) of the article which has been made Open Access under the University of Bristol's Scholarly Works Policy. The final published version (Version of Record) can be found on the publisher's website. The copyright of any third-party content, such as images, remains with the copyright holder.
Accepted author manuscript, 499 KBLicence: CC BY

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Alassaf, M., & Arab Hassani, F. (2025). Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection. In 2025 IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS) (IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS)). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). https://doi.org/10.1109/FLEPS65444.2025.11105606

Alassaf, Marah ; Arab Hassani, Faezeh. / Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection. 2025 IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2025. (IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS)).

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title = "Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection",

abstract = "Early detection for breast cancer is crucial for improving survival rates. This paper presents the development of a flexible temperature sensor array designed for non-invasive breast cancer detection. The system leverages temperature mapping to identify thermal changes associated with malignancies in the breast. The array includes single-walled carbon nanotube/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (SWCNT/PEDOT:PSS)-based temperature sensors. The array is fabricated on a 1μ m-thick polyimide substrate and encapsulated with a 500 nm-thick polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer. The array conforms well to any surface due to its thinness and has a high temperature sensitivity (−0.71\%∘C−1), rapid response (1.5±0.1 s), and recovery times (4.1±0.3 s) across a linear detection range of 20−45∘C. Experimental validation using a silicone-based breast phantom demonstrates the array's ability to detect temperature differences and map distributions across varying silicone thicknesses, simulating shallow and deep tumors. This work aims to contribute to advancing wearable sensor technology for early-stage breast cancer detection.",

author = "Marah Alassaf and \{Arab Hassani\}, Faezeh",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 IEEE.; IEEE International Conference on Flexible Printable Sensors and Systems, FLEPS 2025 ; Conference date: 22-06-2025 Through 25-06-2025",

year = "2025",

month = aug,

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doi = "10.1109/FLEPS65444.2025.11105606",

language = "English",

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publisher = "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)",

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Alassaf, M & Arab Hassani, F 2025, Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection. in 2025 IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS). IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), IEEE International Conference on Flexible Printable Sensors and Systems, Singapore, Singapore, 22/06/25. https://doi.org/10.1109/FLEPS65444.2025.11105606

Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection. / Alassaf, Marah ; Arab Hassani, Faezeh.
2025 IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2025. (IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS)).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

TY - GEN

T1 - Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection

AU - Alassaf, Marah

AU - Arab Hassani, Faezeh

PY - 2025/8/6

Y1 - 2025/8/6

N2 - Early detection for breast cancer is crucial for improving survival rates. This paper presents the development of a flexible temperature sensor array designed for non-invasive breast cancer detection. The system leverages temperature mapping to identify thermal changes associated with malignancies in the breast. The array includes single-walled carbon nanotube/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (SWCNT/PEDOT:PSS)-based temperature sensors. The array is fabricated on a 1μ m-thick polyimide substrate and encapsulated with a 500 nm-thick polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer. The array conforms well to any surface due to its thinness and has a high temperature sensitivity (−0.71%∘C−1), rapid response (1.5±0.1 s), and recovery times (4.1±0.3 s) across a linear detection range of 20−45∘C. Experimental validation using a silicone-based breast phantom demonstrates the array's ability to detect temperature differences and map distributions across varying silicone thicknesses, simulating shallow and deep tumors. This work aims to contribute to advancing wearable sensor technology for early-stage breast cancer detection.

AB - Early detection for breast cancer is crucial for improving survival rates. This paper presents the development of a flexible temperature sensor array designed for non-invasive breast cancer detection. The system leverages temperature mapping to identify thermal changes associated with malignancies in the breast. The array includes single-walled carbon nanotube/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (SWCNT/PEDOT:PSS)-based temperature sensors. The array is fabricated on a 1μ m-thick polyimide substrate and encapsulated with a 500 nm-thick polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer. The array conforms well to any surface due to its thinness and has a high temperature sensitivity (−0.71%∘C−1), rapid response (1.5±0.1 s), and recovery times (4.1±0.3 s) across a linear detection range of 20−45∘C. Experimental validation using a silicone-based breast phantom demonstrates the array's ability to detect temperature differences and map distributions across varying silicone thicknesses, simulating shallow and deep tumors. This work aims to contribute to advancing wearable sensor technology for early-stage breast cancer detection.

UR - https://2025.ieee-fleps.org/

U2 - 10.1109/FLEPS65444.2025.11105606

DO - 10.1109/FLEPS65444.2025.11105606

M3 - Conference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

SN - 9798331510008

T3 - IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS)

BT - 2025 IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS)

PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

T2 - IEEE International Conference on Flexible Printable Sensors and Systems

Y2 - 22 June 2025 through 25 June 2025

ER -

Alassaf M , Arab Hassani F. Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection. In 2025 IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). 2025. (IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems (FLEPS)). doi: 10.1109/FLEPS65444.2025.11105606

Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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Student Best Paper Award- 2nd Place

Cite this

Flexible Ultrathin Temperature Sensor Array as a Patch for Early Breast Cancer Detection

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Handle.net

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Prizes

Student Best Paper Award- 2nd Place

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