Recent advancements in liquid metal enabled flexible and wearable biosensors

Abstract

Wearable biosensors have demonstrated enormous potential in revolutionizing healthcare by providing real-time fitness tracking, enabling remote patient monitoring, and facilitating early detection of health issues. To better sense vital life signals, researchers are increasingly favoring wearable biosensors with flexible properties that can be seamlessly integrated with human tissues, achieved through the utilization of soft materials. Gallium (Ga)-based liquid metals (LMs) possess desirable properties, such as fluidity, high conductivity, and negligible toxicity, which make them inherently soft and well-suited for the fabrication of flexible and wearable biosensors. In this article, we present a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in the nascent realm of flexible and wearable biosensors employing LMs as key components. This paper provides a detailed exposition of the unique characteristics of Ga-based LM materials, which set them apart from traditional materials. Moreover, the state-of-the-art applications of Ga-based LMs in flexible and wearable biosensors that expounded from six aspects are reviewed, including wearable interconnects, pressure sensors, strain sensors, temperature sensors, and implantable bioelectrodes. Furthermore, perspectives on the key challenges and future developing directions of LM-enabled wearable and flexible biosensors are also discussed.