There is growing attention and rapid development on flexible electronic devices with electronic materials and sensing technology innovations. In particular, strain sensors with high elasticity and stretchability are needed for several potential applications including human entertainment technology, human–machine interface, personal healthcare, and sports performance monitoring, etc. This article presents recent advancements in the development of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based flexible resistive strain sensors for wearable applications. First of all, the article shows that PDMS-based stretchable resistive strain sensors are successfully fabricated by different methods, such as the filtration method, printing technology, micromolding method, coating techniques, and liquid phase mixing. Next, strain sensing performances including stretchability, gauge factor, linearity, and durability are comprehensively demonstrated and compared. Finally, potential applications of PDMS-based flexible resistive strain sensors are also discussed. This review indicates that the era of wearable intelligent electronic systems has arrived.

In recent years, the development and research of flexible sensors have gradually deepened, and the performance of wearable, flexible devices for monitoring body temperature has also improved. For the human body, body temperature changes reflect much information about human health, and abnormal body temperature changes usually indicate poor health. Although body temperature is independent of the environment, the body surface temperature is easily affected by the surrounding environment, bringing challenges to body temperature monitoring equipment. To achieve real-time and sensitive detection of various parts temperature of the human body, researchers have developed many different types of high-sensitivity flexible temperature sensors, perfecting the function of electronic skin, and also proposed many practical applications. This article reviews the current research status of highly sensitive patterned flexible temperature sensors used to monitor body temperature changes. First, commonly used substrates and active materials for flexible temperature sensors have been summarized. Second, patterned fabricating methods and processes of flexible temperature sensors are introduced. Then, flexible temperature sensing performance are comprehensively discussed, including temperature measurement range, sensitivity, response time, temperature resolution. Finally, the application of flexible temperature sensors based on highly delicate patterning are demonstrated, and the future challenges of flexible temperature sensors have prospected.

Recently, flexible robotic systems are developed to enhance minimally invasive interventions on internal organs located in confined areas of human body. These surgical devices are designed to navigate anatomical pathways via single-port access, such as natural orifices or minimal incisions and intraluminal interventions. With improved precision, spatial flexibility and dexterity, the robotic technology can enhance surgery such that minimally invasive flexible access would become a faster, safer, and more convenient method for intra-body interventions without multiple or wide incisions. However, a lot of works are still required for global acceptance of existing flexible robotic surgical platforms. This review provides extended insights on the design details of two types of flexible robotic systems used for endoscopic and endovascular procedures. As of today, several prototypes of both platforms have been proposed; however, their global acceptability and applicability remains very low. To address these, we present an extensive review on design constraints and control methods which are vital for safer, faster, and better operation of the flexible robotic systems in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Finally, research trends of flexible robotic systems and their clinical application status in MIS are discussed along with some of the technical and technological challenges hindering their prominence.