Low-frequency ionic-electronic coupling for energy-efficient noise-resilient wireless bioelectronics

Wireless bioelectronics demand transduction strategies that are simultaneously sensitive, noise-resilient, and biologically safe. Conventional wireless sensors typically rely on dielectric capacitors with inherently low capacitance, necessitating operation at MHz frequencies. Such high-frequency coupling often introduces electromagnetic interference, tissue heating, and degraded signal fidelity in biological environments. Here we present a wireless low-frequency electrochemical sensing (WiLECS) platform that couples ionic dynamics with low-frequency LC resonant circuits. The device combines a biocompatible ion gel, composed of a choline-malate ionic liquid embedded in a chitosan matrix with functionalized Au nanoparticles, with a miniaturized LC antenna. Unlike conventional capacitive sensors, WiLECS employs piezo-driven ion redistribution to modulate the dielectric environment of the circuit, enabling sustainable wireless transduction below 1 MHz with high sensitivity and reliability. This approach directly bridges ionic dynamics and electronic resonance, allowing mechanical stimuli to be transduced into biologically safe low-frequency electronic signals. As proof of concept, we demonstrate real-time wireless blood-pressure monitoring in artificial arteries with atherosclerotic plaque, showing resolution of subtle pressure variations under clinically relevant conditions.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2026-03-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70331-4
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Low-frequency ionic-electronic coupling for energy-efficient noise-resilient wireless bioelectronics

Haerim Kim, Jong Hwi Kim, Jaewon Rhee, Ji Hong Kim et al.
Nature Communications
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
article

Low-frequency ionic-electronic coupling for energy-efficient noise-resilient wireless bioelectronics

Haerim Kim, Jong Hwi Kim, Jaewon Rhee, Ji Hong Kim, Hanbin Choi, Joo Sung Kim, Yoseph Park, So Young Kim, Seungyoung Ahn, Won Hyuk Choi, Do Hwan Kim
article en

Abstract

Wireless bioelectronics demand transduction strategies that are simultaneously sensitive, noise-resilient, and biologically safe. Conventional wireless sensors typically rely on dielectric capacitors with inherently low capacitance, necessitating operation at MHz frequencies. Such high-frequency coupling often introduces electromagnetic interference, tissue heating, and degraded signal fidelity in biological environments. Here we present a wireless low-frequency electrochemical sensing (WiLECS) platform that couples ionic dynamics with low-frequency LC resonant circuits. The device combines a biocompatible ion gel, composed of a choline-malate ionic liquid embedded in a chitosan matrix with functionalized Au nanoparticles, with a miniaturized LC antenna. Unlike conventional capacitive sensors, WiLECS employs piezo-driven ion redistribution to modulate the dielectric environment of the circuit, enabling sustainable wireless transduction below 1 MHz with high sensitivity and reliability. This approach directly bridges ionic dynamics and electronic resonance, allowing mechanical stimuli to be transduced into biologically safe low-frequency electronic signals. As proof of concept, we demonstrate real-time wireless blood-pressure monitoring in artificial arteries with atherosclerotic plaque, showing resolution of subtle pressure variations under clinically relevant conditions.

Nature Communications
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KR), Chungbuk National University (KR), Samsung (South Korea) (KR), RIKEN Advanced Science Institute (JP), Hanyang University (KR)
National Research Foundation, National Research Foundation of Korea, Iran Telecommunication Research Center, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea, Institute for Information and Communications Technology Promotion
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 27%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
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