Harnessing sustainability in the development of flexible, wearable sensors for the low molecular weight protein detection

Abstract

Flexible and wearable sensors are at the forefront of health monitoring, particularly the surge in artificial intelligence technologies. The superiority of flexible and wearable sensors over conventional sensors, which are typically composed of metal and semiconductors with restricted stretchability, has boosted biocompatibility and superior real-time monitoring capability. More recently, the biomedical research on low-molecular-weight (LMW) proteins has become increasingly significant, offering diagnostic value but presenting challenges due to their low abundance. This review aims at the discussion on the limitations of traditional and clinical detection methods. The sensing principle of flexible and wearable sensors is concisely addressed, which serves as an overview to connect with the sustainability assessment in the subsequent sections of this review. Subsequently, a compilation of the advancements in flexible and wearable sensors focusing on various aspects of LMW proteins, including materials employed, fabrication techniques, biorecognition components, and transduction processes, is introduced. The potential of contemporary LMW protein detection techniques for substituting conventional methods can be correlated from that point onwards, and the sustainability status of current flexible and wearable sensors has been examined based on critical criteria, including biocompatibility, durability, scalability, reusability, time, energy, and technical requirements. This integrated information is essential as a framework for the future development of LWM protein sensors, identifying the research gap concerning sustainability for the commercialization of these potential sensors and offering enhanced methodology beyond traditional methods.