Flexible physical sensors based on membranes: from design to application

Abstract The flexible physical sensors have the advantage of pliability and extensibility and can be easily twisted or curved. The development of flexibility from rigidity has significantly increased the application situations for sensors, especially in intelligent robots, tactile platforms, wearable medical sensors, bionic devices, and other fields. The research of membrane-based flexible physical sensors relies on the development of advanced materials and technologies, which have been derived from a wide range of applications. Various technical methods and principles have gradually matured according to the different applications and materials used. The first section of this review discusses membrane substrates and functional materials, summarizing the development of flexible physical sensors. According to the technical sensing principles, the review is concerned with the state of research on physical sensing platforms. Lastly, the difficulties and chances for the design of emerging membrane-based flexible physical sensors in the coming years are presented.