Scientists print invisible, spider silk-like sensors directly on skin
In another scientific marvel inspired by the wonder that is spider silk, researchers have developed an innovative method to create adaptive and eco-friendly sensors that can be seamlessly and invisibly printed onto various biological surfaces, such as a finger or a flower petal.
This breakthrough in high-performance bioelectronics allows for the customization of sensors on a wide range of surfaces, from fingertips to the delicate seedheads of dandelions, by printing them directly onto them.
Inspired by the efficient and intricate web structures created by spiders using minimal material, the fibers used in these sensors are at least 50 times thinner than human hair. When applied to human skin, the fiber sensors conform perfectly, exposing sweat pores and remaining undetectable to the wearer.
Biosensors directly printed onto living surfaces
This innovative bioelectronic ‘spider silk‘ has been spun from PEDOT:PSS (a biocompatible conducting polymer), hyaluronic acid, and polyethylene oxide. These high-performance fibers, produced from a water-based solution at room temperature, allow precise control over their ‘spinnability.’ Using an orbital spinning technique, the fibers can adapt to living surfaces, including microstructures like fingerprints.
Tests on various surfaces, including human fingers and dandelion seedheads, demonstrated that these bioelectronic fibers provide high-quality sensor performance while remaining imperceptible to the host.
“We want bioelectronics that are completely imperceptible to the user, so they don’t in any way interfere with how the user interacts with the world, and we want them to be sustainable and low waste,” said Cambridge professor Yan Yan Shery Huang, who led the research.
Current methods for making wearable sensors have significant drawbacks. Flexible electronics, typically printed on plastic films, trap gas and moisture, creating a cling film-like effect on the skin. This new method offers a promising alternative, combining high performance with eco-friendly production.
Potential to revolutionize healthcare, gaming, AR
Although human skin is highly sensitive, augmenting it with electronic sensors could revolutionize our interaction with the world. Sensors printed directly onto the skin could enable continuous health monitoring, enhance understanding of skin sensations, and improve the realism of gaming or virtual reality experiences.
“We want bioelectronics that are completely imperceptible to the user, so they don’t in any way interfere with how the user interacts with the world, and we want them to be sustainable and low waste,” said Cambridge professor Yan Yan Shery Huang, who led the research.
Current methods for making wearable sensors have significant drawbacks. Flexible electronics, typically printed on plastic films, trap gas and moisture, creating a cling film-like effect on the skin. This new method offers a promising alternative, combining high performance with eco-friendly production.
Potential to revolutionize healthcare, gaming, AR
Although human skin is highly sensitive, augmenting it with electronic sensors could revolutionize our interaction with the world. Sensors printed directly onto the skin could enable continuous health monitoring, enhance understanding of skin sensations, and improve the realism of gaming or virtual reality experiences.
Source: Interesting Engineering
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Scientists print invisible, spider silk-like sensors directly on skin