(Invited) Multi-Functional Flexible Physical and Chemical Sensor Sheets

Abstract

Mechanically flexible and stretchable devices have been attracted much attention for a next class of electronics such as flexible photovoltaics, flexible displays, and wearable electronics. In particular, multiple sensors for potential applications such as wearable healthcare devices and Internet of Things (IoT) concepts are one of the most important components for moving forward to building the flexible sensor system platform. For healthcare application, chemical information such as pH, glucose, sodium ion, and pattaisum ion levles are very important to monitor as well as physical information such as activity, skin temperature, heartbeat, and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. Furthermore, simultaneous multiple condition monitoring including physical and chemical information is a next class of wearable devices for convienient and safe human life. To address these challenges, in this talk, flexible physical and chemical sensor sheets using mainly inorganic nanomaterials will be introduced by proposing low-cost, macroscale, and multi-functional device integrations. Especially human-interactive flexible sensors to detect human motion, health condition, and room environment information are mainly discussed. In addition to the fundamental sensor characteristics of a strain sensor, a temperature sensor, an ultraviolet sensor, a tactile pressure sensor, and a chemical sensor, integrated device applications with several sensors on a flexible film are demonstrated as proof-of-concepts for multi-functional flexible healthcare sensor sheets. Although a lot of investigations and developments are still required for practical application as products, these studies may help to open a door for the next step of flexible electronics.