Research Progress and Challenges of Flexible Sensors for Flow Measurement

doi:10.3901/JME.260221

Abstract

Abstract: Flexible sensors demonstrate prominent advantages in flow measurement due to their mechanical flexibility, high sensitivity, and conformability to complex surfaces. Compared to traditional rigid sensors, they achieve higher accuracy in monitoring flow velocity, direction, and state within turbulent fields, with applications spanning industrial monitoring, environmental sensing, and biomedicine. The sensing mechanisms and key technologies of flexible flow sensors are systematically summarized as follows: Multi-physics coupling mechanisms (mechanical, thermal, acoustic, and electrochemical); MEMS-based approaches for miniaturization, integration, and intelligence; performance optimization strategies, including material microstructure design, adaptive signal processing algorithms, and multi-modal data fusion. Future research should focus on compatibility between high sensitivity and wide dynamic range, robustness in harsh environments, embedded system integration, and low-power wireless communication, thereby advancing precision flow measurement for smart healthcare, industrial IoT, and renewable energy systems.

Key words: flexible sensor, flow sensing, transduction mechanisms, integrated design, micro-fabrication techniques

CLC Number:

TH703

LI Jiayao, YAN Yuchao, ZHANG Wenlong, DENG Jinjun, MA Binghe, CHANG Honglong, YUAN Weizheng, YU Yiting. Research Progress and Challenges of Flexible Sensors for Flow Measurement[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2026, 62(10): 1-22.

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URL: http://www.cjmenet.com.cn/EN/10.3901/JME.260221

http://www.cjmenet.com.cn/EN/Y2026/V62/I10/1

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