Flexible Optical Fiber Sensing: Materials, Methodologies, and Applications

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.