Advanced Design of Polymer-Based Flexible Sensors: From Material Synergy to Multifunctional Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Flexible sensors are key interfaces for the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI).
• Enhancing conductivity, mechanical adaptability, and sensitivity is crucial for advanced sensor performance.
• Expanding sensing dimensions and application scenarios are current research focuses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in structural design, fabrication, sensing mechanisms, and applications of polymer-based flexible sensors.
• To systematically introduce the construction of nanomaterials and liquid metal (LM) conductive networks and their performance influence.
• To summarize synergistic optimization strategies and explore diverse applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on polymer-based flexible sensors.
• Analysis of conductive network construction using nanomaterials and liquid metal.
• Examination of performance optimization strategies and application case studies.

Main Results:

• Nanomaterials and LM significantly influence the conductivity, mechanical adaptability, and sensitivity of flexible sensors.
• Synergistic strategies combining nanomaterials, LM, and polymer matrices offer enhanced performance.
• Polymer-based flexible sensors demonstrate diverse applications in health monitoring, human-computer interaction, and intelligent manufacturing.

Conclusions:

• High-performance conductive networks are central to advancing flexible sensor technology.
• Further development in structural design and material selection will drive broader applications.
• Polymer-based flexible sensors hold significant promise for future technological integration.