Naturally derived skin-like elastomer materials for adaptive and in situ processable biomedical interfaces

Next-generation biomedical interfaces, including wearable sensors, implantable electronics, and patient-specific therapeutic systems, require skin-like elastomers that combine softness, stretchability, and conformal adaptability with clinical and environmental viability. Here, we report a supramolecular gelatin elastomer formed via glycerol-mediated hydrogen bonding, which reorganizes the molecular network into a non-crystalline, reprocessable matrix that supports in situ shaping and mild-condition processing. The elastomer exhibits tunable mechanical properties, thermal plasticity, and recyclability, while maintaining ambient stability. Incorporation of functional nanofillers, including silica, hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass, and halloysite nanotubes, further enhances mechanical robustness and interfacial compatibility, enabling customized structural designs and functional performance. Leveraging these tunable mechanical and interfacial properties, the gelatin elastomer also enables integration of conductive components for adaptive and in situ processable biomedical interfaces. As a proof of concept, the elastomer incorporates carbon nanotubes and NaCl to achieve high electrical conductivity and high-fidelity signal acquisition, enabling stable recording of electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, and compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) in humans. This work establishes a reprocessable, sustainable, and human-evaluated elastomer platform that bridges natural polymer chemistry with functional device performance, advancing the clinical translation of soft bioelectronic and therapeutic interfaces.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials
Published
2026-03-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42114-026-01747-1
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
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article

Naturally derived skin-like elastomer materials for adaptive and in situ processable biomedical interfaces

Ruinan Hao, Hao Wang, Meng Li, Jie Xue et al.
Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
article

Naturally derived skin-like elastomer materials for adaptive and in situ processable biomedical interfaces

Ruinan Hao, Hao Wang, Meng Li, Jie Xue, Yong Yuan, Jie Du, Liqun Zhang, Ming Tian, Feng Tian, Xiaoli Li, Zhengxin Peng, Jinzhi Du
article en

Abstract

Next-generation biomedical interfaces, including wearable sensors, implantable electronics, and patient-specific therapeutic systems, require skin-like elastomers that combine softness, stretchability, and conformal adaptability with clinical and environmental viability. Here, we report a supramolecular gelatin elastomer formed via glycerol-mediated hydrogen bonding, which reorganizes the molecular network into a non-crystalline, reprocessable matrix that supports in situ shaping and mild-condition processing. The elastomer exhibits tunable mechanical properties, thermal plasticity, and recyclability, while maintaining ambient stability. Incorporation of functional nanofillers, including silica, hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass, and halloysite nanotubes, further enhances mechanical robustness and interfacial compatibility, enabling customized structural designs and functional performance. Leveraging these tunable mechanical and interfacial properties, the gelatin elastomer also enables integration of conductive components for adaptive and in situ processable biomedical interfaces. As a proof of concept, the elastomer incorporates carbon nanotubes and NaCl to achieve high electrical conductivity and high-fidelity signal acquisition, enabling stable recording of electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, and compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) in humans. This work establishes a reprocessable, sustainable, and human-evaluated elastomer platform that bridges natural polymer chemistry with functional device performance, advancing the clinical translation of soft bioelectronic and therapeutic interfaces.

Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials
Beijing Normal University (CN), Beijing Anzhen Hospital (CN), Beijing University of Chemical Technology (CN), Xi'an Jiaotong University (CN), South China University of Technology (CN)
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
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