Flexible and Stretchable Sensors

Abstract

This chapter describes classes of architectural strategies and functional materials for the realization of flexible and stretchable sensors. The most crucial challenges in the development of flexible and stretchable sensors are the simultaneous achievement of favorable mechanically durable materials and robust flexible and stretchable substrates, deformable electrodes and circuits, novel processing methods, and system integration. To address the development of flexible and stretchable sensors with excellent sensitivity and durability, the aforementioned strategies and materials have been contributed, including various dimensional structure and nanomaterials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and hybrid composites. One-dimensional nanotubes, nanofibers, and nanowires have been widely employed as potential building components for nanoscale electronics, sensors, and energy devices benefited from their size-related intriguing physical properties and relatively high carrier mobility. Compared with other configurations, through sliding and buckling of the individual elements, one-dimensional-materials-based sensing networks can accommodate strain and retain electrical properties during rigid stretching cycles.