Elastomer-based piezoresistive sensors are an impactful
and promising
means of monitoring biological motion, tracking biosignals, and measuring
the mechanical collision of physical stimuli in robots or machines.
Piezoresistive behavior is generally realized when conductivity is
imparted to elastomers, which results in resistivity changes by an
external force that induces elastic deformations. Piezoresistive behavior
of an elastomer can be achieved by mixing or coating the elastomer
with a conductive material, thereby forming a composite structure.
In this review, the conductive and elastic components that may determine
the performance of a sensor are introduced. Conductive materials are
classified into metal fillers, carbon allotropes, and hybrid materials,
while elastic structures are classified into nonperiodic/periodic,
hierarchical, and textile-based formations. Then, this comprehensive
review focuses on textile-based structures for flexible applications,
emerging challenges, potential strategies, and finally, the proposed
hybrid mechanisms.