Surface Sensors on wood by physical vapor deposition and screen printing

Surface technology is a transformative force in everyday objects, especially in the wood industry, where high-quality wood is coated with a surface sealant to improve its durability against various environmental factors. While wood surfaces usually have supportive, protective or decorative functions, a trend towards not only smart but also intelligent surfaces is emerging in the field of wood composites. Intelligent surfaces require the integration of sensors. By applying components, especially sensors, directly to wood surfaces, potential problems related to structural inhomogeneities, defects and external stresses that affect the life of the material are circumvented. These sensors can either be on the surface or embedded for in-situ measurements. The sensors can be used for touch-sensing applications or to monitor temperature, varnish curing or long-term structural integrity without compromising the functionality and structural stability of the underlying wood. The present work demonstrates the feasibility of producing sensors on different wood surfaces using screen printing and physical vapor deposition in combination with laser engraving.