Abstract:

In order to clarify the principle of preparation, sensing properties and applications of textile-based flexible mechanical sensors, the most recent progress of textile-based flexible mechanical sensors were described, including fabrication, properties and applications. The novelty and advantages of textile-based piezoresistive and capacitive sensors in the field of human-activity monitoring, personal healthcare and user interface were investigated. The results indicated that the sensors with one-dimensional fibrous and two-dimensional fabric structures are main structures, and the sensors with tunable substrates and devisable combinations exhibited remarkable sensing properties (linearity, non-hysteresis, repeatability, sensitivity and durability). The textile-based flexible mechanical sensors with high electrical conductivity, sensitivity and durability are the most desirable properties in the near future.

Key words: textile-based flexible mechanical sensor, piezoresistive sensor, capacitive sensors, human-activity monitoring, personal healthcare monitoring