**Acknowledgements**

exceed these ranges and the direct application of a higher temperature may cause deformation

The experimental results show an almost linear and inversely proportional behavior between the stimuli of pressure (**Figure 7**) and temperature (**Figure 8**) with the frequency response. The repeatability of the results allows to evaluate the PVDF as a reliable material because each stimulus applied (pressure and temperature) was tested in triplicate, thus obtaining results with slight variations but the same trend. The prosthesis tested as a pressure sensor showed effectiveness in the range of 0–16.35 kPa, values that also fall within the range of applied

Biocompatibility is a subject that is also covered by a prosthesis because of their permanent contact with the skin or any other organ. That is why a PVDF prosthesis is ideal to prevent exposure to hazardous substances. This polymer has been used in many other kinds of biocompatible applications, and it has been widely studied as a safety material for biomedical applications [34, 35]. By the other hand, using a 3D printer, a functional ear prosthesis could

In this work, a prosthesis made of PVDF was manufactured satisfactorily with a 3D printer. It was also tested as pressure and temperature sensors. The characterization could be achieved satisfactorily. As shown in **Figures 7** and **8**, the typical response of the PVDF pressure and temperature sensors was found to be very reliable. It was seen that PVDF displayed a high

Smart PVDF prostheses provide a promising tool for measuring pressure and temperature variations due to its ferroelectric properties (piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity) [5, 36]. These kind of smart prostheses have great potentialities in the biomedical engineering field because of their ability to generate an electrical potential in response to applied mechanical stress or

Besides this, the prosthesis has displayed to be not only a reliable temperature and pressure sensor but also an acoustic one [31, 38]. This is a quite important characteristic due to the fact that the outer ear collects sound waves and channels them into the ear canal where the sound

The light response was also satisfactory of the PVDF coinciding with the photopyroelectric

Finally, it is possible to manufacture sensors for TSPL based on PVDF with their respective feedback, that is, TSPL responses proportionate electrical stimulation of skin sensory nerves.

thereof. It has also been reported that the optimum working temperature is 80°C [14].

pressure that could hold an ear without malformation [32, 33].

be fabricated in a few hours with all the advantages mentioned above.

sensitivity to pressure changes in the range 0–16.35 kPa.

variations of temperature, as well as flexibility [37].

**5. Conclusions**

156 Piezoelectric Materials

is amplified.

techniques reported [11–13].

Authors express their gratitude to the Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) for financing this book chapter through the Project 151894.
