Nature-Driven Biocompatible Epidermal Electronic Skin for Real-Time Wireless Monitoring of Human Physiological Signals

Abstract

Wearable bioelectronic patches are creating a transformative effect in the health care industry for human physiological signal monitoring. However, the use of such patches is restricted due to the unavailability of a proper power source. Ideal biodevices should be thin, soft, robust, energy-efficient, and biocompatible. Here, we report development of a flexible, lightweight, and biocompatible electronic skin-cum-portable power source for wearable bioelectronics by using a processed chicken feather fiber. The device is fabricated with a novel, breathable composite of biowaste chicken feather and organic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer, where the chicken feather fiber constitutes the “microbones” of the PVDF, enhancing its piezoelectric phase content, biocompatibility, and crystallinity. Thanks to its outstanding pressure sensitivity, the fabricated electronic skin is used for the monitoring of different human physiological signals such as body motion, finger and joint bending, throat activities, and pulse rate with excellent sensitivity. A wireless system is developed to remotely receive the different physiological signals as captured by the electronic skin. We also explore the capabilities of the device as a power source for other small electronics. The piezoelectric energy harvesting device can harvest a maximum output voltage of ∼28 V and an area power density of 1.4 μW·cm–2 from the human finger imparting. The improved energy harvesting property of the device is related to the induced higher fraction of the electroactive phase in the composite. The easy process ability, natural biocompatibility, superior piezoelectric performance, high pressure sensitivity, and alignment toward wireless transmission of the captured data make the device a promising candidate for wearable bioelectronic patches and power sources.

2D MoO3/PVDF–HFP Nanocomposites for Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerator and Wireless Mechanosensor Applications

“…Such wireless sensor systems attached to the human body are used to monitor human physiological signals of pressure, temperature, and humidity . Recently, flexible, wireless mechanosensors have been reported for electronic skin and tactile sensor applications where movements of different human body parts and arterial pulse were monitored. ,− …”

Breathable and Durable Tactile e-Skin Based on S-Shaped Nanofiber Networks by Patterned Additive Manufacturing

“…The first is the field where the tactile e-skin is attached to the real human skin, − and the second is the field where the tactile e-skin is attached to the surface of bionic human skin. − In fact, the tactile e-skin used in both fields has a high demand for breathability. Currently, there are remarkable application cases of tactile e-skin attached to real skin, − which have different sensing principles, have flexible structures, and are made of functional materials. Moreover, tactile e-skin has broad application prospects in medical treatment, sports monitoring, and quantitative perception of tactile pressure on the body surface.…”

Electrospun Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanogenerator with Hydrophobic Properties and Enhanced Energy Harvesting for Wearable and Wireless Sensing

“…First of all, the choice of molding processing method can greatly affect the crystal phase structure of PVDF. Casting or electrospinning are common molding methods, and subsequent stretching, high-pressure polarization, or annealing of PVDF are conducive to the formation of β phases in PVDF.…”