Rational Design of Flexible Mechanical Force Sensors for Healthcare and Diagnosis

Abstract

Over the past decade, there has been a significant surge in interest in flexible mechanical force sensing devices and systems. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to the development of flexible mechanical force sensors for daily healthcare and medical diagnosis, driven by the increasing demand for wearable/portable devices in long-term healthcare and precision medicine. In this review, we summarize recent advances in diverse categories of flexible mechanical force sensors, covering piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, triboelectric, magnetoelastic, and other force sensors. This review focuses on their working principles, design strategies and applications in healthcare and diagnosis, with an emphasis on the interplay among the sensor architecture, performance, and application scenario. Finally, we provide perspectives on the remaining challenges and opportunities in this field, with particular discussions on problem-driven force sensor designs, as well as developments of novel sensor architectures and intelligent mechanical force sensing systems.

Flexible Force Sensor Based on a PVA/AgNWs Nanocomposite and Cellulose Acetate

“…The flexibility and ability of these devices to withstand mechanical deformations make them a viable alternative compared to conventional electronic components, which are typically rigid. This technological advancement has found applications in various sectors, such as the automotive industry [1], biomedical field [2,3], and the development of robotic skins [3][4][5], among others.…”

“…Recent studies on these types of systems have shown notable characteristics, such as high sensitivity [3,6], stretchability [6], response rate [3,6], stability [6], and low fabrication cost [6]. Regarding force sensors [7][8][9], they can employ various measurement techniques based on phenomena such as piezoelectric, piezocapacitive, triboelectric, or piezoresistive [1,6]. In particular, piezoresistive pressure sensors transform input pressure into a change in resistance in the device [6].…”