Soft and Stretchable Conductive Polymers for Next‐Generation Wearable Biosensing
Hana Afshar, Farimah Kamran, Helena Moshiri, Farangis Shahi
Abstract
ABSTRACT The rapid evolution of wearable electronics has accelerated demand for materials that are simultaneously conductive, flexible, stretchable, and biocompatible. Among these, soft and stretchable conductive polymers, particularly when integrated into hydrogel matrices, have emerged as foundational materials for next‐generation biosensors capable of real‐time, non‐invasive physiological monitoring. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the material innovations, fabrication strategies, and application domains of soft conductive polymers in wearable biosensing platforms. We explore the structural and functional design of conductive polymer‐based hydrogels (CPHGs), elastomers, and hybrid composites, emphasizing their electrical tunability, mechanical robustness, and responsiveness to complex biological environments. Special attention is given to their role in sweat‐based biomarker detection, motion and activity monitoring, optical biosensing, and the development of self‐healing sensor systems. Advanced additive manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing and micro‐patterning, are discussed in the context of enhancing device customization and integration. Furthermore, we examine recent breakthroughs in self‐powered and AI‐integrated biosensor systems that enable autonomous health tracking and personalized medicine. Despite the progress, challenges such as environmental durability, calibration drift, and long‐term biocompatibility remain. This review concludes by identifying critical gaps in current research and outlining future directions aimed at enabling multifunctional, intelligent, and sustainable wearable biosensing technologies. By bridging materials science with bioengineering and digital healthcare, soft conductive polymers are poised to redefine how health is monitored, managed, and personalized in the digital age.