Wireless technologies in stretchable bioelectronics

Abstract

Stretchable bioelectronic devices can intimately interface with the human body, but their potential is often constrained by the need for wired connections or rigid power sources. The integration of wireless power transfer and communication technologies addresses these limitations, enabling fully untethered and conformal operation of bioelectronics on skin, implanted inside the body, or even ingested. This article provides a comprehensive review of the wireless techniques applicable to stretchable bioelectronics and the unique considerations that arise at the intersection of these fields. We outline the principles of wireless power delivery – including inductive, capacitive, radio-frequency, ultrasonic, and optical methods – and wireless data communication strategies suitable for stretchable/deformable devices, such as RFID, NFC, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/ZigBee and also optical/ultrasonic technologies. Key material selections and fabrication approaches for realizing stretchable circuits with wireless functionality are discussed, with an emphasis on recent advances in stretchable substrates, conductors, and system integration techniques. We then survey a range of application examples in wearable health monitoring, implantable medical devices, and ingestible sensors, highlighting how wireless capabilities enhance the performance and usability of stretchable systems. Finally, we consider the remaining challenges (such as ensuring long-term biointegration, device robustness, and safe energy operation) and present an outlook on future developments in this emerging multidisciplinary field.