Self-Healing Stretchable Devices: The Future of Wearable Technology
Korean Breakthrough Material Opens New Path to Biosensors and Stimulants
Researchers from Korea University Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology (KU-KIST) have developed novel conductor materials that are stretchable, self-healing, and biocompatible, paving the way for advanced wearable devices. Their research was published in Science Advances.
The new biodegradable conductor enables innovative methods for patient monitoring and treatment delivery directly to tissues and organs. A smart patch could collect vital biological data such as temperature and motion from patients. This material could be used for sensor patches that might be implanted within the human body or placed on the surface of internal organs, and it can degrade over time to avoid the need for surgical removal.
“This technology is a glimpse at a future where remote healthcare is a reality,” states Robert Rose, CEO of Rose Strategic Partners, LLC. He envisions devices implanted post-surgery to monitor healing progress, capable of self-repairing and dissolving once their job is done—bringing science fiction closer to reality.
Self-Healing Characteristics
The innovation features a dual-layered flexible system; one layer for conduction—made of PEDOT:PSS, a widely used conductive polymer—and another elastomer layer that supports sensors and circuitry. The self-healing function is enabled by disulfide metathesis, allowing the material to restore conductivity in its circuits within two minutes after being cut.
The researchers demonstrated that these materials could withstand stretching up to 500 percent while healing themselves when damaged, showcasing their potential in flexible electronics far surpassing existing materials such as silver nanowires.
A practical test displayed its capabilities in a multifunction sensor designed for humidity, temperature, and pressure, highlighting its resilience after sustaining cuts in four different locations.
Animal Testing Results
In an advanced experiment, the team created a 1.8-cm2 sensor affixed to a rat’s bladder, effectively monitoring changes in bladder pressure and functionality without adhesives. The device was self-healing as well, following intentional damage through its circuitry, maintaining its operational state.
Biocompatibility is critical, allowing for skin-wearable and implantable devices that naturally degrade post-use without necessitating further surgical procedures.
Moving forward, the team acknowledges challenges ahead, including ensuring the compatibility of materials and production feasibility, projected to take at least one to two years to optimize.