Advances in Cellulose-Based Materials for Bionic Sensors

As an emerging front-end information acquisition device, bionic sensors dynamically collect and digitally display natural signals by mimicking biological perception mechanisms. With their flexibility, lightweight design, and broad applicability, they are progressively serving as a bridge connecting wearable flexible devices with smart living. Cellulose-based materials, derived from the Earth's abundant and renewable polymer resources, exhibit a combination of non-toxicity, biodegradability, sustainability, excellent mechanical properties, rich chemical structures, and tunability. These characteristics make them an ideal choice for green and flexible bionic sensor materials. This article centers on the application and advancement of cellulose-based materials in bionic sensors. It first introduces three fundamental working modes of bionic sensors and their adapted scenarios, summarizes commonly employed cellulose-based materials, and exemplifies their applications in bionic sensing. The study highlights the wide-ranging application prospects of such sensors in healthcare, human-machine interaction (HMI), and motion monitoring. To guide future efforts, this perspective concludes by presenting the key challenges and promising directions for advancing high-performance cellulose-based bionic sensors.