Self-Powered Strain Sensing System: A Cutting-Edge Review Paving the Way for Autonomous Wearable Electronics

Self-powered strain sensing technology represents a pivotal frontier in overcoming the energy constraints of wearable electronics, thereby enabling their long-term intelligence and operational autonomy. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in integrated strain sensing systems, with a particular focus on three primary strategies for achieving self-powered functionality: integration with energy storage devices (e.g., flexible supercapacitors and microbatteries); integration with energy harvesters (e.g., triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators); and advanced systems that synergistically combine energy harvesting, storage, and management modules. The article begins by outlining the fundamental working mechanisms and key performance parameters of strain sensors. It then provides a detailed analysis of the material systems, innovative structural designs, operational mechanisms, and applications in health monitoring and human-computer interaction associated with the different self-powered strategies. Finally, the review critically examines the persistent challenges in this field, including energy balance, mechanical robustness, and environmental stability, and offers perspectives on future research directions such as multimodal energy harvesting, intelligent data processing, and the development of biocompatible materials. This work aims to serve as a valuable reference for advancing the practical implementation of truly autonomous and wearable strain sensing systems.