Recent Advancements in Gel-Based Flexible Electronic Sensors

Abstract

Gel-based flexible electronic sensors have emerged as a transformative class of materials for next-generation applications. These applications are wearable electronics, soft robotics, electronic skin (e-skin), and healthcare monitoring systems. Owing to their intrinsic softness, stretchability, and biocompatibility, gels provide an ideal platform for constructing highly deformable and skin-conformable sensing devices. This paper provides insight into emerging fabrication techniques, including 3D printing, bioprinting, and microfabrication. These techniques have facilitated the creation of complex architectures with improved sensitivity and scalability. The review also focuses on recent advancements that have focused on overcoming traditional limitations. These limitations are poor mechanical strength, dehydration, limited environmental stability, and low sensitivity. In particular, the incorporation of conductive fillers and ionic species has enabled a range of sensing mechanisms. These mechanisms include piezoresistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, and ionotronic responses. Therefore, it allows for the accurate detection of strain, pressure, temperature, and biochemical signals. Finally, this review provides a summary of future research, which is expected to focus on multifunctional integration, sustainable materials, and intelligent data processing. It provides pathways to the widespread adoption of gel-based flexible electronic sensors in both consumer and clinical applications.