Work

Ferroelectric polymer-based flexible and transparent transducers for biomedical ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Ferroelectric polymers are promising materials for flexible and transparent biomedical ultrasound transducers because of their mechanical compliance, low acoustic impedance, broad bandwidth, optical transparency, and scalable processing. PVDF and its copolymers enable lightweight, conformal interfaces for wearable ultrasound, high-frequency imaging, and photoacoustic/optoacoustic detection, although their relatively modest electromechanical coupling and transmit efficiency remain limitations. This review connects advances in ferroelectric polymer materials with transducer design and biomedical imaging performance. We discuss PVDF, P(VDF-TrFE), relaxor terpolymers, and polymer composites, emphasizing phase and morphotropic phase boundary engineering, molecular modification, and composite strategies. Transducer principles, architectures, fabrication, and performance trade-offs in sensitivity, bandwidth, resolution, penetration depth, flexibility, and stability are critically reviewed. Recent applications in wearable ultrasound, transparent photoacoustic imaging, and ultra-high-frequency and intravascular imaging are highlighted. Finally, challenges and opportunities in material performance, array integration, acoustic coupling, reliability, scalable manufacturing, and multimodal imaging are discussed.

Source: Photoacoustics

DOI: 10.1016/j.pacs.2026.100899

Authors: Lin Zhang, Senyang Xiao, Shenghao Wu, Jun Xia, Qifa Zhou

Institutions: University at Buffalo, State University of New York, University of Southern California

Language: English

Topic: Dielectric materials and actuators

Subfield: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,200

Funder: University at Buffalo