Recent advances in flexible near infrared—short wave infrared image sensors: from materials to applications

Near-infrared and short-wave infrared (NIR–SWIR) light reveals molecular signatures and penetrates scattering media, advantages that are greatest in direct contact with target. Rigid, conventional imagers cannot meet this requirement. Flexible imagers, by contrast, conform to skin, tissue, and curved surfaces. Here, we review the materials, architectures, and readout mechanisms enabling them, then examine in depth their applications in wearable diagnostics, system monitoring, and human–computer interaction, and remaining challenges.