Printed and Flexible Sensor Technology

This book showcases the design, fabrication and implementation of printed and flexible sensors and their range of applications. Since the use of flexible sensors has been demonstrated in almost every sector researchers are working towards optimization of present technologies and the implementation of new approaches, especially in light of developments in emerging in printed and flexible electronics research. Some of the common issues faced are sensor stability in dynamic environments, non-availability of point-of-care devices, multifunctional sensing prototypes, requirement of high input power, saturation of sensitivity, difficulty in replacement of sensors operating in harsh real-time environments and need of biocompatible sensors for ubiquitous health monitoring.

Reviewing established and developing technologies, the book takes in fabrication techniques including laser-induced graphene, laser cutting and 3D printing, inkjet, extrusion and screen printing, and assesses each for industrial important traits such as speed of fabrication, low electronic waste and ease of customization. A survey of all the above-mentioned techniques are given in this book, which will help the readers to gain knowledge about the methodologies used, and come up with ideas to optimize them to enhance their own research and development programmed. The book also includes a thorough review on some of the challenges faced by the current printed flexible sensors, their probable remedial solutions and some of the novel ways these sensors can be used for real-time applications. The second half of the book looks at applications of printed and flexible sensors in industrial, environmental and biomedical settings in light of the challenges each field presents and how such sensors can be tailored for specific areas of use within each field.