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Lu et al. Soft Sci 2024;4:36 Soft Science
DOI: 10.20517/ss.2024.29

Review Article Open Access

Soft wearable electronics for evaluation of biological

tissue mechanics

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Yifei Lu , Lichao Ma , Hehua Zhang , Yongfeng Mei 1,3,4 , Ze Xiong 5,6,7 , Enming Song 1,3,4,*
1
Institute of Optoelectronics, Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Intelligent Optoelectronics and Perception, State Key
Laboratory of Integrated Chips and Systems (SKLICS), Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
2
Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
3
International Institute for Intelligent Nanorobots and Nanosystems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
4
Yiwu Research Institute of Fudan University, Yiwu 322000, Zhejiang, China.
5
Wireless and Smart Bioelectronics Lab, School of Biomedical Engineering, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
6
State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
7
Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai 201210, China.
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Authors contributed equally.
* Correspondence to: Prof. Enming Song, Institute of Optoelectronics, Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Intelligent
Optoelectronics and Perception, State Key Laboratory of Integrated Chips and Systems (SKLICS), Fudan University, Jiangwan
Campus, 2005 Songhu Rd., Shanghai 200433, China. E-mail: sem@fudan.edu.cn
How to cite this article: Lu Y, Ma L, Zhang H, Mei Y, Xiong Z, Song E. Soft wearable electronics for evaluation of biological tissue
mechanics. Soft Sci 2024;4:36. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ss.2024.29
Received: 4 Jul 2024 First Decision: 22 Aug 2024 Revised: 29 Sep 2024 Accepted: 17 Oct 2024 Published: 23 Oct 2024
Academic Editor: Guoying Gu Copy Editor: Pei-Yun Wang Production Editor: Pei-Yun Wang

Abstract
Flexible wearable devices designed to evaluate the biomechanical properties of deep tissues not only facilitate
continuous and effective monitoring in basic performance but also exhibit significant potential in broader disease
assessments. Recent advancements are highlighted in the structural and principled design of platforms capable of
capturing various biomechanical signals. These advancements have led to enhanced testing capabilities concerning
spatial scales and resolution modes at different depths. This review discusses the engineering of soft wearable
devices for the biomechanical evaluation of deep tissue signals. It encompasses different measurement modes,
device design and fabrication methods, integrated circuit (IC) integration schemes, and the characteristics of
measurement depth and accuracy. The core discussion focuses on platform development, targeting different
monitoring sites and platform structure design, ranging from linear strain gauges and conformal stretchable
sensors to complex three-dimensional (3D) circuit-integrated stretchable arrays. We further explore various
technologies associated with different measurement mechanisms and engineering designs, as well as the
penetration depth and spatial resolution of these wearable sensors. The practical applications of these technologies

© The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, sharing,
adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as
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