Self‐Healing Soft Sensors: From Material Design to Implementation

Abstract

The demand for interfacing electronics in everyday life is rapidly accelerating, with an ever‐growing number of applications in wearable electronics and electronic skins for robotics, prosthetics, and other purposes. Soft sensors that efficiently detect environmental or biological/physiological stimuli have been extensively studied due to their essential role in creating the necessary interfaces for these applications. Unfortunately, due to their natural softness, these sensors are highly sensitive to structural and mechanical damage. The integration of natural properties, such as self‐healing, into these systems should improve their reliability, stability, and long‐term performance. Recent studies on self‐healing soft sensors for varying chemical and physical parameters are herein reviewed. In addition, contemporary studies on material design, device structure, and fabrication methods for sensing platforms are also discussed. Finally, the main challenges and future perspectives in this field are introduced, while focusing on the most promising examples and directions already reported.

Profiles of Volatile Biomarkers Detect Tuberculosis from Skin

“…This platform is expected to provide the foundation for the development of a wide variety of low‐end and high‐end wearable patches that can detect a wide variety of diseases and illnesses detectable by “sniffing” the corresponding skin‐emitted VOCs. [ 14,80–82 ]…”

CuS‐Carrageenan Composite Grown from the Gel/Liquid Interface

“…Among biopolymers, carrageenans have been extensively investigated due to their unique properties such as high‐water content, softness, flexibility and biocompatibility [13–15] . The presence of many hydroxyl groups and anionic sulfate groups in their structures makes carrageenan a hydrophilic, anionic polyelectrolyte.…”

Self‐Healing Functional Electronic Devices

“…[97][98][99][100][101] Sensors, that can detect and perceive external physical or chemical signals, are one of the core devices for developing flexible and wearable smart electronic equipment. [102,103] Nevertheless, sensors are unavoidably suffer from external damage, such as scratching and rupture during daily use, leading to malfunction. Sensors with high effective self-healing ability could repair themselves under hitch and restore their original structural and functional states, significantly improving their reliability and lifespan.…”