Recent Advances of Flexible Pressure Sensors: A Review

Flexible pressure sensors, as a key branch of flexible electronics, have garnered widespread attention in various fields due to their exceptional compatibility and flexibility. A large number of studies have been conducted to design flexible pressure sensors with excellent performance by utilizing different materials, structures, and emerging manufacturing processes. This paper outlines the performance metrics used to evaluate flexible pressure sensors, as well as various sensing mechanisms, and provides a detailed introduction to emerging materials and technologies for manufacturing. It also focuses on the latest research on the production of flexible pressure sensors using microelectronic printing techniques, including screen printing, inkjet printing, and dispensing printing. In addition, this work provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the applications of flexible pressure sensors across various fields, including healthcare, sports, e-skin, human–machine interaction, underwater environments, and intelligent sensing algorithm–based systems. Finally, the paper discusses the challenges and future development prospects, aiming to provide comprehensive, timely, and scientific references for the field of flexible pressure sensors.