# Ecoresorbable chipless temperature-responsive tag made from biodegradable materials for sustainable IoT

## TL;DR

Researchers created a compostable, wireless temperature tag using biodegradable materials that can track temperature changes and break down after use, supporting sustainable IoT applications.

## Contribution

A fully ecoresorbable, chipless, and wireless temperature-responsive tag using biodegradable materials and bio-based phase-change materials is introduced.

## Key findings

- The tag uses bio-based phase-changing materials to induce irreversible resonance frequency shifts at specific melting points.
- The device disintegrates in a compost environment within 9 weeks after service life.
- Printed zinc metallic traces encapsulated with beeswax enable wireless operation and prevent oxidation.

## Abstract

Temperature monitoring within the cold chain, essential for safety of perishable products, typically employs devices such as battery-powered data loggers and radio-frequency identification tags. Such devices include non-eco-friendly components, posing challenges for their safe disposal and recycling. This study demonstrates the fabrication of a fully ecoresorbable, chipless, and wireless temperature-responsive tag, designed to irreversibly track temperature changes through a permanent shift in resonance frequency. The tag is printed on a customized moisture-resistant poly(β-hydroxybutyrate)-cellulose composite substrate. An RLC circuit made of printed zinc metallic traces, encapsulated with beeswax to prevent oxidation, enables seamless wireless operation. The tag utilizes bio-based phase-changing materials such as frozen olive, jojoba, and coconut oils to induce irreversible resonance frequency shifts of more than 30 MHz at respective melting points of 8 °C, 15 °C, and 25 °C. A cellulose capillary element efficiently absorbs the melted oil, enabling reliable operation at inclinations from 0° to 90°. At the end of its service life, the device can undergo disintegration in a compost environment within 9 weeks. This work demonstrates a sustainable chipless technology from material selection and manufacturing processes to end-of-life disposal as an advanced thermal indicator solution for cold chain temperature-excursion detection.

The authors demonstrate a chipless and wireless temperature tag using a biopolymer and printed zinc. Bio-based phase-change materials enable irreversible thermal detection, and the device fully disintegrates in compost, supporting transient electronics.