Continuous Spinning of Tough, Robust, Ionic-Conductive, and Stable Fibers for Reliable Signal Transmission

Fiber-shaped ionic conductors are ideal for bioelectronic interfaces due to their structural and functional similarities to biological tissues. However, achieving high mechanical strength, superior conductivity, and long-term environmental stability within a scalable fiber format remains a formidable challenge. Here, we report a design strategy to fabricate tough, robust, ionic-conductive and stable (TRIS) fibers via continuous UV-assisted spinning of a quaternary deep eutectic solvent. The core lies in the synergistic interplay between a highly dynamic hydrogen-bonding supramolecular network and dynamic carboxyl–zirconium coordination complexes. This molecular architecture enables TRIS fibers to simultaneously realize a high Young’s modulus (approximately 8.7 MPa) and excellent ionic conductivity (approximately 0.896 S/m). Furthermore, the fibers exhibit exceptional environmental stability, maintaining stable performance for over 1 year in ambient conditions. As a demonstration, TRIS fibers function as ionic cables that can transmit high-fidelity signals under strain (approximately 50%) and, notably, as artificial nerves to bridge a severed sciatic nerve in rats. The successful restoration of sensory and motor functions in vivo highlights the potential of TRIS fibers as functional neural replacements. This work provides a scalable and robust platform for the development of next-generation, tissue-like implantable bioelectronics.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Fiber Materials
Published
2026-09-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s42765-026-00771-6
Primary Topic
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Continuous Spinning of Tough, Robust, Ionic-Conductive, and Stable Fibers for Reliable Signal Transmission

Yaokang Zhang, Lingtao Fang, Qiyao Huang, Zijian Zheng et al.
Advanced Fiber Materials
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
article

Continuous Spinning of Tough, Robust, Ionic-Conductive, and Stable Fibers for Reliable Signal Transmission

Yaokang Zhang, Lingtao Fang, Qiyao Huang, Zijian Zheng, Jiaheng Liang, Xian Song, Lixi Chen, Chi Zhang, Huimin Wang, Zhihao Zhou, Peng Li
article en

Abstract

Fiber-shaped ionic conductors are ideal for bioelectronic interfaces due to their structural and functional similarities to biological tissues. However, achieving high mechanical strength, superior conductivity, and long-term environmental stability within a scalable fiber format remains a formidable challenge. Here, we report a design strategy to fabricate tough, robust, ionic-conductive and stable (TRIS) fibers via continuous UV-assisted spinning of a quaternary deep eutectic solvent. The core lies in the synergistic interplay between a highly dynamic hydrogen-bonding supramolecular network and dynamic carboxyl–zirconium coordination complexes. This molecular architecture enables TRIS fibers to simultaneously realize a high Young’s modulus (approximately 8.7 MPa) and excellent ionic conductivity (approximately 0.896 S/m). Furthermore, the fibers exhibit exceptional environmental stability, maintaining stable performance for over 1 year in ambient conditions. As a demonstration, TRIS fibers function as ionic cables that can transmit high-fidelity signals under strain (approximately 50%) and, notably, as artificial nerves to bridge a severed sciatic nerve in rats. The successful restoration of sensory and motor functions in vivo highlights the potential of TRIS fibers as functional neural replacements. This work provides a scalable and robust platform for the development of next-generation, tissue-like implantable bioelectronics.

Advanced Fiber Materials
Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK), Wenzhou University (CN), Sun Yat-sen University (CN), Northwestern Polytechnical University (CN), Shenzhen University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Innovation and Technology Fund, Young Scientists Fund
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 20%
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
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