Bioinspired Shape Reconfigurable, Printable, and Conductive “E‐Skin” Patch with Robust Antibacterial Properties for Human Health Sensing

Abstract Conductive hydrogel‐based flexible electronic skin, or “E‐skin,” patches have garnered significant attention in biomedical engineering due to their capability to sense and detect real‐time human motion, health metrics, and environmental changes. Nonetheless, challenges such as precision fabrication, enhanced flexibility, superior self‐healing, hydrophilicity, and insufficient bioadhesive properties impede their clinical application and limit their advancement in wearable bioelectronics. In this context, the development of a highly flexible, shape‐reconfigurable, stretchable, and printable conductive “E‐skin” patch for real‐time human motion, humidity, and temperature sensing. This utilizes a polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin/carbon nanotubes/cellulose nanocrystals (PVA/Gelatin/CNTs/CNCs or PVG/NC) based hydrogel inspired by slime molds. Modifying PVG with CNTs and CNCs enhances the mechanical and viscoelastic properties, thereby facilitating high‐resolution direct ink writing (DIW) based 3D printing. The resulting slime‐like “E‐skin” demonstrates an electrical conductivity of ≈5 ± 0.25 S m −1 , with exceptional stretchability (≈1000%). The nanocomposite “E‐skin” also displays outstanding bioadhesive properties and multiple sensing capabilities for human motion, temperature, and humidity under ambient conditions. Furthermore, the PVG/NC showcases remarkable near‐infrared (NIR) responsive attributes, which can be leveraged for eradicating pathogenic bacteria in chronic wounds and exhibit excellent cytocompatibility. This research holds immense promise for future wearable bioelectronics, particularly for non‐invasive medical diagnostics.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-05-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202504088
Citations
16
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
10.79

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article

Bioinspired Shape Reconfigurable, Printable, and Conductive “E‐Skin” Patch with Robust Antibacterial Properties for Human Health Sensing

Sayan Deb Dutta, Hojin Kim, Ki‐Taek Lim, Hyeonseo Park et al.
16 citations
Advanced Functional Materials
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
10.79
article

Bioinspired Shape Reconfigurable, Printable, and Conductive “E‐Skin” Patch with Robust Antibacterial Properties for Human Health Sensing

Sayan Deb Dutta, Hojin Kim, Ki‐Taek Lim, Hyeonseo Park, Jieun Lee, M. Jeon, Youjin Seol
article en
16 citations

Abstract

Abstract Conductive hydrogel‐based flexible electronic skin, or “E‐skin,” patches have garnered significant attention in biomedical engineering due to their capability to sense and detect real‐time human motion, health metrics, and environmental changes. Nonetheless, challenges such as precision fabrication, enhanced flexibility, superior self‐healing, hydrophilicity, and insufficient bioadhesive properties impede their clinical application and limit their advancement in wearable bioelectronics. In this context, the development of a highly flexible, shape‐reconfigurable, stretchable, and printable conductive “E‐skin” patch for real‐time human motion, humidity, and temperature sensing. This utilizes a polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin/carbon nanotubes/cellulose nanocrystals (PVA/Gelatin/CNTs/CNCs or PVG/NC) based hydrogel inspired by slime molds. Modifying PVG with CNTs and CNCs enhances the mechanical and viscoelastic properties, thereby facilitating high‐resolution direct ink writing (DIW) based 3D printing. The resulting slime‐like “E‐skin” demonstrates an electrical conductivity of ≈5 ± 0.25 S m −1 , with exceptional stretchability (≈1000%). The nanocomposite “E‐skin” also displays outstanding bioadhesive properties and multiple sensing capabilities for human motion, temperature, and humidity under ambient conditions. Furthermore, the PVG/NC showcases remarkable near‐infrared (NIR) responsive attributes, which can be leveraged for eradicating pathogenic bacteria in chronic wounds and exhibit excellent cytocompatibility. This research holds immense promise for future wearable bioelectronics, particularly for non‐invasive medical diagnostics.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 35(40)
Kangwon National University (KR), University of California, Davis (US)
National Research Foundation, Ministry of Education, National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea, Institute for Information and Communications Technology Promotion, Division of Human Resource Development
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
10.79
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