Fabrication and challenges of 3D printed sensors for biomedical applications-Comprehensive review

Abstract

The popularity of 3D printed flexible sensors has increased as a result of recent breakthroughs in the Internet of Things (IOTs) and advances in the field of flexible and wearable electronics. Regardless of the field they serve, sensors are becoming an indispensable part of our everyday lives. Physical and biosensors for monitoring a variety of stimuli, including temperature, strain, glucose, and other biomarkers, may be the most widely used applications. Furthermore, the boon observed in the miniaturization of electronic devices and accommodation of a large number of electronic components necessitates the need for multi-sensor arrays with different sensors being fabricated into the same device. The need for complex and pliable sensors has led to the utilization of 3D printing technology in their production. 3D printing technology is a versatile process that may be utilized to easily fabricate intricate, multipurpose architecture. This review primarily focus on the recent advancements in developing 3D printed flexible sensors for biomedical applications with a special focus on physical, electrochemical and biosensors. The different types of 3D printing techniques used in fabrication of biomedical sensors along with their existing challenges and future perspectives are also discussed in this review.

Keywords

• 3D printing
• Flexible sensors
• Electrochemical
• Biomedical sensors
• Additive manufacturing