Recent Advances in Flexible Ultrasonic Transducers: From Materials Optimization to Imaging Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Acoustics

Background:

• Ultrasonic (US) transducers are crucial for converting acoustic and electrical signals in imaging systems.
• Conventional rigid US transducers have limitations in conforming to complex surfaces and continuous monitoring.
• Recent advancements focus on developing flexible and wearable US transducers to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent progress in flexible US transducer technology.
• To discuss advancements in functional materials, transducer designs, and applications.
• To identify challenges and future directions in the field.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on flexible US transducers.
• Analysis of material optimization strategies.
• Examination of various transducer designs and their applications.

Main Results:

• Flexible US transducers enable self-alignment and maximize energy transfer for high-quality imaging.
• Advancements in materials and designs have expanded the application range of US imaging systems.
• Wearable flexible US transducers show promise for continuous monitoring and diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Flexible US transducers represent a significant advancement over rigid counterparts.
• Continued research in materials and design will further enhance their capabilities.
• The development of flexible US transducers is crucial for next-generation medical imaging.