Flexible sensors are attached to a surface to measure the amount of deflection or bending. They are well suited to measuring movement in various applications, including human-machine interfaces and rehabilitation. However, strain detectors developed for rigid materials or where sensor removal and replacement are difficult do not work well if the underlying material is too soft or flexible. Additionally, the characteristics that make them flexible impose other limitations, generally in sensitivity, measurement repeatability, and durability. 

The inventors have developed a silicone-based sensor that leverages low mechanical loss materials to deliver excellent signal stability and bandwidth for strains under 5%. The novel fabrication method introduces a liquid elastomer adhesive layer, maintaining flexible functionality while offering rapid stress relaxation response (under 1 second) and low cyclic drift. This enhances the sensor's reliability and performance in real-world applications such as health care devices to monitor breathing, haptic devices to measure human movement, soft robotics, structural health monitoring of machinery, and as a component of smart textiles.