A review on fabrication, characterization and implementation of wearable strain sensors

Abstract The paper presents a substantial review on the different kinds of strain sensors that have been employed as wearable sensing prototypes. The importance of strain sensors lies in their low cost, high sensitivity and multifunctional applications. The flexible strain sensors have been developed with printing techniques that have generated prototypes with varied electrical, mechanical and thermal characteristics. These types of devices have been primarily used for biomedical applications, where a small amount of deflection holds a crucial worth to monitor acute and chronic anomalies in human beings. Among the major areas in healthcare applications where strain sensors have been utilized, wearable sensing holds a pivotal role due to their capability of ubiquitous monitoring. The wearable sensors have been designed and fabricated with a range of processing materials, based on their respective applications. Along with the significant research related to the fabrication and implementation of wearable strain sensors, explanation related to the challenges of the current sensors and their futuristic possibilities have also been showcased in the paper.