{
  "abstract": "Human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are evolving as key components for advanced sensing in communication and control systems. In particular, contact-free HMIs can facilitate unique advantages in hygiene, durability, and non-destructive sensing. However, spatially resolved sensing platforms remain challenging using bulk approaches. Here, we report flexible infrared interface arrays (TIA1 and TIA2) with ≥10 pixels that exploit the photo-thermoelectric (PTE) infrared sensing properties of Bi-Te-based thermoelectric (TE) materials via a dual-stage energy conversion process: radiation-to-thermal, followed by thermal-to-electric. The p- and n-type TE materials and electrodes were printed on polyimide to fabricate TIAs. After encapsulation with a black absorber, radially patterned silver mirrors are printed on the outer part of the pixels using aerosol jet-printing to partially shield each thermocouple. This induces a localized temperature gradient, hence an output voltage via the Seebeck effect under infrared illumination. The pixels exhibit responsivities of 0.7 VW⁻¹ (TIA1) and 0.9 VW⁻¹ (TIA2), respectively, under CO₂ laser irradiation (10.6 µm), with pixel-to-pixel variation within ± 10%. The TIAs were demonstrated as non-contact handwriting and dialing interfaces, converting human gestures into digital signals. These results pave the way for a self-powered and contactless interface for future human-machine interaction technologies.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Light Technology Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany.",
    "Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.",
    "varmo GmbH, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.",
    "Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zirui Wang",
      "orcid": "0009-0004-4504-5365"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Nan Luo",
      "orcid": "0009-0003-9371-8555"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Amrutha Bose",
      "orcid": "0009-0001-4800-329X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Muhammad Irfan Khan",
      "orcid": "0009-0009-2176-3035"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jiayi Liu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Leon Viktor Klinder"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Leonard Franke"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Mohamed Hussein",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0124-5136"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Uli Lemmer",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-9892-329X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Md Mofasser Mallick",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2105-6153"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3b3avhf6y29y0.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1002/advs.78569",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13720272",
  "id": "3b3avhf6y29y0",
  "issns": [
    "2198-3844"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958729",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Research Article"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2505|Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7224768496",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13720272?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13720272",
  "pmid": "42958729",
  "published": "2026-10-29",
  "publisher": "Wiley",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3b3avhf6y29y0.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-01T00:20:36Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42958729",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42958729"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-03T12:21:11Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13720272",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.78569"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:2505|Advanced Thermoelectric Materials and Devices",
      "subfield": "materials-polymers"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Contact-Free Human-Machine Interfaces via Printed Thermopile Infrared Arrays.",
  "title_text": "Contact-Free Human-Machine Interfaces via Printed Thermopile Infrared Arrays.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-03T12:21:11Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3b3avhf6y29y0",
  "venue": "Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)",
  "versions": []
}