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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Main Authors: Suhail Ayoub Khan, Hamza Ahmad, Guoyin Zhu, Huan Pang, Yizhou Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-03-01
Series:Gels
Subjects:
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.
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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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