Nanofibrillar Conductive Hydrogel Adhesive for Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces

Abstract

Conventional hydrogels often fail to simultaneously balance the mechanical resilience, tissue adhesion, and electrical conductivity—key requirements for reliable soft bioelectronic interfaces in monitoring scenarios. In this study, we introduce a conductive nanofibrillar double-network hydrogel adhesive that enables real-time, long-term monitoring of human motion and physiological signals, including electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG), and lung respiration. The double-network matrix, coupled with silver nanoparticle-doped protein nanofibrils, facilitates tunable mechanical properties, tissue-adhesive characteristics, and electrical conductivity of the structural material. The ultra-sensitive strain responsiveness enables precise and reliable detection of various body movements, from finger bending to subtle vocal cord vibration, as well as real-time monitoring of cardiac activity, muscle contractions, and respiratory patterns. Demonstrations in large animal models illustrate its capabilities in sealing lung injury and long-term monitoring lung activity, enabling early detection of abnormalities and facilitating potential personalized healthcare interventions in clinical settings.