Advances in flexible triboelectric pressure sensor for physiological signal monitoring

Abstract Real-time physiological signal monitoring transforms health management from 'passive treatment' to 'active prevention' and from 'vague perception' to 'precise control'. Triboelectric pressure sensing technology exhibits inherent advantages including high sensitivity, diverse material selection, and superior dynamic performance. It is highly compatible with flexible substrates, thus demonstrating enormous application potential in the monitoring of human physiological signals as well as human−computer interaction. In this review, we present the types and the advantages and disadvantages of pressure sensors. In addition, the basic principles and preparation methods of triboelectric pressure sensors are introduced, and their research progress in the field of human signal detection is summarized, including their applications in pulse signal monitoring, sleep monitoring, and gait detection. Finally, the constraints on the practical application of triboelectric pressure sensors are discussed. This review is expected to provide readers with some general strategies and novel ideas for conducting in-depth research on sensors with better performance for physiological signal recognition.