Affiliation:
1. State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Optical Communication Materials, Guangdong Engineering Technology Research and Development Center of Special Optical Fiber Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fiber Laser Materials and Applied Techniques, and School of Materials Science and Engineering,
South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China.
2. Future Institute of Technology,
South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
Abstract
Advances in stretchable and flexible sensors are meeting the demands of an expanding range of applications, such as wearable healthcare, in vivo monitoring, and soft interactive robots. Unlike conventional rigid sensors, soft and elastic material-based flexible sensors are more adaptable to applied objects which involve dynamic and irregular surfaces. Flexible optical fiber sensors offer superior advantages over conventional flexible electronic sensors, including high sensitivity, rapid response time, high biocompatibility, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and enhanced safety. These desirable features have propelled them to become a prominent category, witnessing substantial advancements in recent years. This technology has successfully facilitated a diverse range of applications, such as human health monitoring, biological measurements, and human-machine interfaces. In this review, we provide a concise overview of the latest developments in flexible optical fiber sensing, focusing on key aspects, including preparation materials, methodologies, and applications. Furthermore, we provide valuable insights into the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this field of sensing technology.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Key Technologies Research and Development Program of Anhui Province
Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)