Flexible sensing platform based on polymer materials for health and exercise monitoring

Abstract

Flexible sensors based on polymer materials have the potential to enable non-invasive health monitoring and exercise tracking. This review summarizes recent progress in developing flexible sensing platforms for healthcare and fitness applications. Key materials like conductive polymers and elastomeric substrates provide the basis for flexible strain, pressure, chemical and gas sensors. Advances in manufacturing techniques such as printing and photolithography have enabled the scalable fabrication of polymer-based sensor arrays. Flexible chemical sensors for sweat and breath analysis show promise for non-invasive diagnostics. Strain sensors integrated into wearables and textiles can map body motions during exercise. Challenges remain in improving sensor sensitivity, selectivity and long-term stability. However, polymer-based flexible sensors offer advantages like conformability, biocompatibility and low cost that make them well-suited for disposable and skin-mounted devices. With further refinements in materials, manufacturing and data analytics, flexible sensors have the potential to transform point-of-care health monitoring, nutrition guidance, fitness training and chronic disease management.