Engineering Materials for Electrochemical Sweat Sensing

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 31; no. 12
• Main Authors: Wang, Zhengyun, Shin, Jihoon, Park, Jin‐Ho, Lee, Hakho, Kim, Dong‐Hwan, Liu, Hongfang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2021
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Commercialization; Electrochemical analysis; flexible electronics; Functional materials; human health monitoring; Materials science; Sensors; Signal transduction; Sweat; sweat sensing; wearable sensors; Wearable technology
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202008130

Human sweat contains vast physiological information, which has been a promising resource for on‐body and real‐time health monitoring. Wearable sweat sensors have recently attracted an ever‐increasing interest due to their promising capabilities for continuously tracking changes in health status. However, the commercialization of sweat sensors is seriously hindered by drawbacks of materials including high manufacturing and consumables costs, complex integration technology, as well as limited electrochemical signal transduction. In this review, sweat sensing principles are elaborately interpreted, and the latest advances in functional materials for biomarkers sensing in sweat are systematically summarized. Subsequently, the complex structure–activity relationships between various functional materials and sensing capabilities are further elucidated by coupling chemical structures, geometrics, electrochemical properties, and approaches for materials manufacturing. Furthermore, the integration of each component into sensing device for sweat detection and analysis is also discussed. Finally, challenges and opportunities for wearable sweat sensors are delineated in the development of future personalized and predictive healthcare. Wearable electrochemical sweat sensors have emerged as a type of promising electronic device for continuous monitoring human health. This article reviews the recent progress on various materials for electrochemical sweat sensing. Structure‐activity relationships of sensing materials, approaches for materials manufacturing, and integration of devices are discussed. Challenges and future research directions are also identified.