Track-Etch Membranes as Tools for Template Synthesis of Highly Sensitive Pressure Sensors

Composite Track-Etched Membranes: Synthesis and Multifaced Applications

Composite track-etched membranes (CTeMs) emerged as a versatile and high-performance class of materials, combining the precise pore structures of traditional track-etched membranes (TeMs) with the enhanced functionalities of integrated nanomaterials. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, functionalization, and applications of CTeMs. By incorporating functional phases such as metal nanoparticles and conductive nanostructures, CTeMs exhibit improved performance in various domains. In environmental remediation, CTeMs effectively capture and decompose pollutants, offering both separation and detoxification. In sensor technology, they have the potential to provide high sensitivity and selectivity, essential for accurate detection in medical and environmental applications. For energy storage, CTeMs may be promising in enhancing ion transport, flexibility, and mechanical stability, addressing key issues in battery and supercapacitor performance. Biomedical applications may benefit from the versality of CTeMs, potentially supporting advanced drug delivery systems and tissue engineering scaffolds. Despite their numerous advantages, challenges remain in the fabrication and scalability of CTeMs, requiring sophisticated techniques and meticulous optimization. Future research directions include the development of cost-effective production methods and the exploration of new materials to further enhance the capabilities of CTeMs. This review underscores the transformative potential of CTeMs across various applications and highlights the need for continued innovation to fully realize their benefits.

Technology Roadmap for Flexible Sensors

Humans rely increasingly on sensors to address grand challenges and to improve quality of life in the era of digitalization and big data. For ubiquitous sensing, flexible sensors are developed to overcome the limitations of conventional rigid counterparts. Despite rapid advancement in bench-side research over the last decade, the market adoption of flexible sensors remains limited. To ease and to expedite their deployment, here, we identify bottlenecks hindering the maturation of flexible sensors and propose promising solutions. We first analyze challenges in achieving satisfactory sensing performance for real-world applications and then summarize issues in compatible sensor-biology interfaces, followed by brief discussions on powering and connecting sensor networks. Issues en route to commercialization and for sustainable growth of the sector are also analyzed, highlighting environmental concerns and emphasizing nontechnical issues such as business, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Additionally, we look at future intelligent flexible sensors. In proposing a comprehensive roadmap, we hope to steer research efforts towards common goals and to guide coordinated development strategies from disparate communities. Through such collaborative efforts, scientific breakthroughs can be made sooner and capitalized for the betterment of humanity.