Next-Generation Wearable Optical Sensors for Personalized Health and Point-of-Care Diagnostics-A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Materials Science
• Bioengineering and Data Science

Background:

• Wearable optical sensors (WOS) are advancing rapidly, merging photonic detection with flexible, skin-compatible platforms.
• These sensors enable real-time monitoring of physiological and environmental parameters, bridging the gap between lab research and practical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary review of the WOS landscape.
• To analyze materials, sensing mechanisms, device integration, and applications of WOS.
• To highlight design principles, performance metrics, and translational challenges for next-generation WOS.

Main Methods:

• Systematic examination of traditional and advanced nanomaterials (nanoparticles, quantum dots, 2D materials, MOFs) and functional polymers.
• Analysis of optical sensing mechanisms including colorimetry, luminescence, SERS, photoacoustic, multispectral sensing, and optical fiber methods.
• Exploration of emerging trends in device integration (smartphone platforms, microfluidics) and machine learning for signal processing.

Main Results:

• Detailed overview of materials and mechanisms crucial for WOS fabrication and function.
• Identification of key application domains: non-invasive health diagnostics, fitness monitoring, environmental sensing, and food safety.
• Discussion of integration strategies and data analysis techniques enhancing WOS capabilities.

Conclusions:

• WOS technologies are poised for significant advancements through interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Understanding materials, mechanisms, and integration is key to overcoming translational challenges.
• This review provides a framework for developing sophisticated, next-generation wearable photonic technologies.