Note: Non-destructive measurement of thermal effusivity of a solid and liquid using a freestanding serpentine sensor-based 3ω technique

A non-destructive thermal effusivity characterization method described as a freestanding serpentine sensor-based 3 omega technique was reported. This freestanding serpentine sensor was fabricated by the mature flexible printed circuit production technique. Expression for the temperature response of the freestanding serpentine sensor with respect to the thermal effusivity of the test sample was presented. The technique was further verified by measuring four kinds of standard samples at room temperature. Experimental results which well agree with reference values demonstrate the new technique is of great application value to thermal effusivity characterization of solids, liquids, and structures to which the conventional 3 omega technique is not applicable, e. g., solids with porous surfaces. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3626937]