In recent years, flexible pressure sensing arrays applied in medical monitoring, human-machine interaction, and the Internet of Things have received a lot of attention for their excellent performance. Epidermal sensing arrays can enable the sensing of physiological information, pressure, and other information such as haptics, providing new avenues for the development of wearable devices. This paper reviews the recent research progress on epidermal flexible pressure sensing arrays. Firstly, the fantastic performance materials currently used to prepare flexible pressure sensing arrays are outlined in terms of substrate layer, electrode layer, and sensitive layer. In addition, the general fabrication processes of the materials are summarized, including three-dimensional (3D) printing, screen printing, and laser engraving. Subsequently, the electrode layer structures and sensitive layer microstructures used to further improve the performance design of sensing arrays are discussed based on the limitations of the materials. Furthermore, we present recent advances in the application of fantastic-performance epidermal flexible pressure sensing arrays and their integration with back-end circuits. Finally, the potential challenges and development prospects of flexible pressure sensing arrays are discussed in a comprehensive manner.

Fiber-optic sensing (FOS) technology has emerged as a cutting-edge research focus in the sensor field due to its miniaturized structure, high sensitivity, and remarkable electromagnetic interference immunity. Compared with conventional sensing technologies, FOS demonstrates superior capabilities in distributed detection and multi-parameter multiplexing, thereby accelerating its applications across biomedical, industrial, and aerospace fields. This paper conducts a systematic analysis of the sensing mechanisms in fiber-optic pressure sensors, with a particular focus on the performance optimization effects of fiber structures and materials, while elucidating their application characteristics in different sensing scenarios. This review further examines current manufacturing technologies for fiber-optic pressure sensors, covering key processes including fiber processing and packaging. Regarding practical applications, the multifunctional characteristics of fiber-optic pressure sensors are thoroughly investigated in various fields, including biomedical monitoring, industrial and energy monitoring, and wearable devices, as well as aerospace monitoring. Furthermore, current challenges are discussed regarding performance degradation in extreme environments and multi-parameter cross-sensitivity issues, while future research directions are proposed, encompassing the integration and exploration of novel structures and materials. By synthesizing recent advancements and development trends, this review serves as a critical reference bridging the gap between research and practical applications, accelerating the advancement of fiber-optic pressure sensors.

The emerging field of flexible tactile sensing systems, equipped with multi-physical tactile sensing capabilities, holds vast potential across diverse domains such as medical monitoring, robotics, and human–computer interaction. In response to the prevailing challenges associated with the limited integration and sensitivity of flexible tactile sensors, this paper introduces a versatile tactile sensing system capable of concurrently monitoring temperature and pressure. The temperature sensor employs carbon nanotube/graphene conductive paste as its sensitive material, while the pressure sensor integrates an ionic gel containing boron nitride as its sensitive layer. Through the application of cost-effective screen printing technology, we have successfully manufactured a flexible dual-mode sensor with exceptional performance, featuring high sensitivity (804.27 ${\mathrm{kPa}}^{-1}$), a broad response range (50 kPa), rapid response time (17 ms), and relaxation time (34 ms), alongside exceptional durability over 5000 cycles. Furthermore, the resistance temperature coefficient of the sensor within the temperature range of 12.5 °C to 93.7 °C is −0.17% °C⁻¹. The designed flexible dual-mode tactile sensing system enables the real-time detection of pressure and temperature information, presenting an innovative approach to electronic skin with multi-physical tactile sensing capabilities.

Flexible strain sensors require a wide strain range and high sensitivity for applications from human joint monitoring to robotic motion detection. Conventional wired systems limit motion, especially in underwater and wearable scenarios. Here, we present an ion–electron synergy-enhanced flexible highly sensitive wireless sensing system (IESS) with wide strain range, in which ionic and electronic conduction synergistically amplify strain-induced resistance changes. By combining multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), ionic liquid, and a gold layer, a three-dimensional porous conductive network forms. Applied strain induces microcracks that interrupt electron pathways while reconfiguring ionic transport channels, enabling high sensitivity over a wide strain range (gauge factor, GF = 1.985 × 10⁴, 100%). The system integrates sensing, power, and wireless communication in a compact platform for multimodal applications. With machine learning, it achieves 93.3% accuracy in phonation recognition and distinguishes diving, ascending, and forward swimming of bionic shark robots, as well as monitors buoy strain underwater. These results demonstrate the advantage of ion–electron synergy in enhancing sensing performance and highlight the system’s versatility for bioinspired robotics and wearable health monitoring. The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.

Liquid metal electrodes (LMEs) combine metallic conductivity with fluid deformability, offering unique advantages for flexible electronics, sensing, biointerfaces, and energy devices. This review examines LMEs from an electrode-centered perspective, linking material composition and oxide-mediated interfacial behavior with fabrication, electrode architecture, performance, reliability, and application readiness. This review further highlights how electrode design and interfacial engineering govern practical electrical and mechanical performance. Emphasis is placed on gallium-based alloys and the dual role of their native oxide layer, which facilitates wetting, adhesion, and pattern stability but may also increase contact resistance and interfacial instability. Representative fabrication strategies are compared in terms of resolution, scalability, adhesion, and deformability, while electrode performance is benchmarked using conductivity or resistance, strain tolerance, cyclic reliability, electrical drift, and activation or self-healing requirements. Applications in flexible electronics, sensors, biomedical interfaces, and energy devices are discussed together with their technological maturity. No single fabrication route or electrode architecture is universally optimal, emphasizing the need for application-specific evaluation. Finally, key challenges in reproducible manufacturing, oxide regulation, contact degradation, leakage prevention, environmental durability, and lifecycle management are highlighted.