Iranian Chemical Engineering Journal

Iranian Chemical Engineering Journal

A Review of Advanced Ionically and Electronically Resistive Hydrogel-Based Flexible Strain Sensors: Fundamental Principles to Wearable Technologies and Future Prospects

Articles in Press
Authors
Leila Ghadiri 1
Leila Naji 2
1 Applied Chemistry Group, Department of Chemistry, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
2 Analytical Chemistry Group, Department of Chemistry, Amirkabir University of Technology, Teran, Iran.
10.22034/ijche.2026.572942.1581
Abstract
This review article examines and compares strain-resistive sensors based on conductive hydrogels, with a focus on analyzing the differences between ionically conductive and electronically conductive hydrogels. Hydrogels are an ideal choice for applications such as electronic skin and soft robotics due to their networked structure, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties similar to those of body tissues. This study analyzes the operating principles and sensing mechanisms of these two categories. Ionic hydrogels rely on ion transport, while the electronic type creates electron conduction pathways by incorporating conductive fillers. This fundamental difference directly impacts key performance parameters such as sensitivity, stretchability, and mechanical stability. The transition to practical applications faces challenges including mechanical durability, signal stability, and integration into wearable systems. By addressing these obstacles, the article outlines a future vision based on integration with smart materials, paving the way for developing a new generation of health monitoring systems and tactile interfaces.
Keywords
Hydrogel-based sensor
Sensing parameters
Electronic skin (E-skin)
wearable electronics
health monitoring
Iranian Chemical Engineering Journal

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 June 2026