Organoid and organ-on-a-chip (OoC) are transformative in vitro platforms for biomedical research. A critical determinant of their physiological relevance is the faithful recapitulation of the native mechanical microenvironment, which governs cell behavior, morphogenesis, and maturation. Despite its recognized importance, a comprehensive review dedicated to the principles, design, and application of mechanical stimuli in these advanced systems remains limited. This review provides a systematic overview of this crucial aspect. We first elucidate the fundamental principles of mechanobiology, detailing how cells perceive and transduce mechanical cues such as fluid shear stress, substrate stiffness, and tensile strain. Subsequently, we analyze the implementation of mechanical control across diverse organoid culture methodologies, including scaffold-based, microcarrier, and advanced scaffold-free techniques. The review’s core examines the application of engineered mechanical forces in various OoC models (e.g., lung, gut, heart, tumor), demonstrating how simulating physiological forces like cyclic stretching and peristalsis enhances biomimetic fidelity and functional maturation. Finally, we address key challenges and future prospects, including multi-scale stimuli integration, smart responsive materials, and mechanically coupled multi-organ systems. This work underscores the indispensable role of mechanical engineering in advancing organoid and OoC technologies for basic research and clinical applications. This review not only systematically synthesizes current progress but also proposes mechanobiological frameworks for the next generation of organoid and OoC systems.

The growing interest in flexible devices has emerged as a global trend due to their advantages in flexibility, lightweight structure, and wearability, addressing the limitations of traditional devices. While wearable airflow sensors have been previously reported, the development of flexible fabric-based airflow sensors capable of functioning in environments with open flames—critical for fire rescue operations—has yet to be explored, largely due to the poor fire resistance of conventional fabrics. In this work, we first present a flexible, wearable, and multifunctional airflow sensor with excellent fire-resistant properties, fabricated through a simple direct laser writing process. This sensor maintains airflow detection capabilities even in the presence of open flames. Typically, the fabrication of fabric-based sensors involves complex procedures such as carbon materials doping or vapor-phase deposition, leading to lengthy preparation cycles and high costs. Furthermore, fabric-based devices are inherently prone to flammability. To address these challenges, we introduce twice-vertical laser-induced graphene (TVLIG) as a sensitive and reliable component for fire-resistant airflow sensors. The resulting TVLIG/Kevlar fabric can be integrated into various garments, particularly protective suits, to form sensitive and fire-resistant airflow sensors capable of detecting airflow velocity and direction in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) spaces during fire incidents. Additionally, the TVLIG patterns can be expanded to multifunctional platforms, such as glucose detection for injured individuals, offering further applications in rescue operations. This functional expansion reduces the burden on rescue personnel and streamlines device preparation. With its outstanding sensing capabilities, fire resistance, and expandability, the developed flexible airflow sensor shows great potential for various real-world rescue scenarios, promising advancements in wearable sensing technology for rescue engineering.