Recent developments in sensors for wearable device applications

Wearable devices are a new means of human-computer interaction with different functions, underlying principles, and forms. They have been widely used in the medical and health fields, in applications including physiological signal monitoring; sports; and environmental detection, while subtly affecting people’s lives and work. Wearable sensors as functional components of wearable devices have become a research focus. In this review, we systematically summarize recent progress in the development of wearable sensors and related devices. Wearable sensors in medical health applications, according to the principle of measurement, are divided into physical and chemical quantity detection. These sensors can monitor and measure specific parameters, thereby enabling continuously improvements in the quality and feasibility of medical treatment. Through the detection of human movement, such as breathing, heartbeat, or bending, wearable sensors can evaluate body movement and monitor an individual’s physical performance and health status. Wearable devices detecting aspects of the environment while maintaining high adaptability to the human body can be used to evaluate environmental quality and obtain more accurate environmental information. The ultimate goal of this review is to provide new insights and directions for the future development and broader application of wearable devices in various fields.Graphical abstract