Scalable and stretchable 1D multifunctional fibers for multimodal sensing and stimulation

One-dimensional (1D) multifunctional fibers have garnered significant attention due to their advantageous geometry properties, which allows conformal interfacing with soft biological tissues and efficient charge transport. Here, we developed a solution-deposition strategy for the scalable and cost-effective fabrication of stretchable liquid metal fibers integrated with electrochemically stable, tissue-interfacing electrodes, thereby enabling the realization of stretchable multifunctional fibers. This fiber seamlessly combines electrodes and conductive pathways into a single structure, enabling versatile applications such as electrophysiological signal sensing, in vivo nerve stimulation, and wireless energy transmission. The multifunctional fiber demonstrates significantly improved electrical performance under strain, maintaining conductivity during stretching and bending, and exhibits lower impedance and higher signal stability, particularly during physiological monitoring and electrical stimulation. The fiber's excellent biocompatibility and mechanical compliance makes it well suited for wearable systems and long-term biomedical applications, offering a robust platform for next generation 1D bioelectronics.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2026-03-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70178-9
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Scalable and stretchable 1D multifunctional fibers for multimodal sensing and stimulation

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Nature Communications
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
article

Scalable and stretchable 1D multifunctional fibers for multimodal sensing and stimulation

Wei Zhao, Enbo Zhu, Junyi Yin, Jie Zhu, Yunlei Zhou, Hong Bao, Jie Zhao, YongAn Huang, Shuai He, Samuel Margolis, Yanan Wang, Chenyang Li, Longlong Mu, Jiangnan Yuan, Kaidong Wang, Shaolei Wang
article en

Abstract

One-dimensional (1D) multifunctional fibers have garnered significant attention due to their advantageous geometry properties, which allows conformal interfacing with soft biological tissues and efficient charge transport. Here, we developed a solution-deposition strategy for the scalable and cost-effective fabrication of stretchable liquid metal fibers integrated with electrochemically stable, tissue-interfacing electrodes, thereby enabling the realization of stretchable multifunctional fibers. This fiber seamlessly combines electrodes and conductive pathways into a single structure, enabling versatile applications such as electrophysiological signal sensing, in vivo nerve stimulation, and wireless energy transmission. The multifunctional fiber demonstrates significantly improved electrical performance under strain, maintaining conductivity during stretching and bending, and exhibits lower impedance and higher signal stability, particularly during physiological monitoring and electrical stimulation. The fiber's excellent biocompatibility and mechanical compliance makes it well suited for wearable systems and long-term biomedical applications, offering a robust platform for next generation 1D bioelectronics.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 17(1)
Xidian University (CN), University of California, Los Angeles (US), Wuhan University of Technology (CN), Fudan University (CN), Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (CN), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 25%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
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