Three-Dimensional Printing of Hydrogels for Flexible Sensors: A Review
The remarkable flexibility and heightened sensitivity of flexible sensors have drawn significant attention, setting them apart from traditional sensor technology. Within this domain, hydrogels—3D crosslinked networks of hydrophilic polymers—emerge as a leading material for the new generation of flex...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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Series: | Gels |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/3/187 |
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author | Suhail Ayoub Khan Hamza Ahmad Guoyin Zhu Huan Pang Yizhou Zhang |
author_facet | Suhail Ayoub Khan Hamza Ahmad Guoyin Zhu Huan Pang Yizhou Zhang |
author_sort | Suhail Ayoub Khan |
collection | DOAJ |
description | The remarkable flexibility and heightened sensitivity of flexible sensors have drawn significant attention, setting them apart from traditional sensor technology. Within this domain, hydrogels—3D crosslinked networks of hydrophilic polymers—emerge as a leading material for the new generation of flexible sensors, thanks to their unique material properties. These include structural versatility, which imparts traits like adhesiveness and self-healing capabilities. Traditional templating-based methods fall short of tailor-made applications in crafting flexible sensors. In contrast, 3D printing technology stands out with its superior fabrication precision, cost-effectiveness, and satisfactory production efficiency, making it a more suitable approach than templating-based strategies. This review spotlights the latest hydrogel-based flexible sensors developed through 3D printing. It begins by categorizing hydrogels and outlining various 3D-printing techniques. It then focuses on a range of flexible sensors—including those for strain, pressure, pH, temperature, and biosensors—detailing their fabrication methods and applications. Furthermore, it explores the sensing mechanisms and concludes with an analysis of existing challenges and prospects for future research breakthroughs in this field. |
first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:15:07Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-cdd71ac16c54488e8cc0e28bb6d8edeb |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2310-2861 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:15:07Z |
publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Gels |
spelling | doaj.art-cdd71ac16c54488e8cc0e28bb6d8edeb2024-03-27T13:42:39ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612024-03-0110318710.3390/gels10030187Three-Dimensional Printing of Hydrogels for Flexible Sensors: A ReviewSuhail Ayoub Khan0Hamza Ahmad1Guoyin Zhu2Huan Pang3Yizhou Zhang4School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaInstitute of Advanced Materials and Flexible Electronics (IAMFE), School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, ChinaInstitute of Advanced Materials and Flexible Electronics (IAMFE), School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, ChinaInstitute of Advanced Materials and Flexible Electronics (IAMFE), School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, ChinaThe remarkable flexibility and heightened sensitivity of flexible sensors have drawn significant attention, setting them apart from traditional sensor technology. Within this domain, hydrogels—3D crosslinked networks of hydrophilic polymers—emerge as a leading material for the new generation of flexible sensors, thanks to their unique material properties. These include structural versatility, which imparts traits like adhesiveness and self-healing capabilities. Traditional templating-based methods fall short of tailor-made applications in crafting flexible sensors. In contrast, 3D printing technology stands out with its superior fabrication precision, cost-effectiveness, and satisfactory production efficiency, making it a more suitable approach than templating-based strategies. This review spotlights the latest hydrogel-based flexible sensors developed through 3D printing. It begins by categorizing hydrogels and outlining various 3D-printing techniques. It then focuses on a range of flexible sensors—including those for strain, pressure, pH, temperature, and biosensors—detailing their fabrication methods and applications. Furthermore, it explores the sensing mechanisms and concludes with an analysis of existing challenges and prospects for future research breakthroughs in this field.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/3/187hydrogels3D printingflexible sensorsE-skin |
spellingShingle | Suhail Ayoub Khan Hamza Ahmad Guoyin Zhu Huan Pang Yizhou Zhang Three-Dimensional Printing of Hydrogels for Flexible Sensors: A Review Gels hydrogels 3D printing flexible sensors E-skin |
title | Three-Dimensional Printing of Hydrogels for Flexible Sensors: A Review |
title_full | Three-Dimensional Printing of Hydrogels for Flexible Sensors: A Review |
title_fullStr | Three-Dimensional Printing of Hydrogels for Flexible Sensors: A Review |
title_full_unstemmed | Three-Dimensional Printing of Hydrogels for Flexible Sensors: A Review |
title_short | Three-Dimensional Printing of Hydrogels for Flexible Sensors: A Review |
title_sort | three dimensional printing of hydrogels for flexible sensors a review |
topic | hydrogels 3D printing flexible sensors E-skin |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/10/3/187 |
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