Flexible and durable bioelectrodes mark advance for healthcare wearables

The market for wearable electronics that continuously monitor biosignals is predicted to be worth approximately $572.06bn by 2033. However, many of the materials used for bioelectrodes, such as metals, conductive polymers, and hydrogels, often lack the flexibility to stretch the skin without breaking and have low humidity permeability, leading to sweat buildup and discomfort.

Addressing these limitations, a research team led by Assistant Professor Tatsuhiro Horii and Associate Professor Toshinori Fujie from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) has developed a bioelectrode material composed of layers of conductive fibrous networks consisting of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on a stretchable poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) (SBS) nanosheet. Their findings are detailed in NPG Asia Materials.

According to the team, the nanosheet conforms tightly to the skin, allowing for precise biosignal measurements, while the carbon nanotube fibres maintain the material’s stretchability and humidity permeability.

MORE FROM WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

“Self-supporting electrodes that are stretchable, permeable to humidity, and conformable to skin surface bumps are required to allow for the natural deformation of skin without restricting body movements,” Horii said in a statement.