Recent Advances in Flexible and Stretchable Sensing Systems: From the Perspective of System Integration

Abstract

Biological signals generated during various biological processes are critically important for providing insight into the human physiological status. Recently, there have been many great efforts in developing flexible and stretchable sensing systems to provide biological signal monitoring platforms with intimate integration with biological surfaces. Here, this review summarizes the recent advances in flexible and stretchable sensing systems from the perspective of electronic system integration. A comprehensive general sensing system architecture is described, which consists of sensors, sensor interface circuits, memories and digital processing units. The subsequent content focuses on the integration requirements and highlights some advanced progress for each component. Next, representative examples of flexible and stretchable sensing systems for electrophysiological, physical and chemical information monitoring are introduced. This review concludes with an outlook on the remaining challenges and opportunities for future fully flexible or stretchable sensing systems.