Textile‐Integrated Liquid Metal Electrodes for Electrophysiological Monitoring

Abstract

Next generation textile‐based wearable sensing systems will require flexibility and strength to maintain capabilities over a wide range of deformations. However, current material sets used for textile‐based skin contacting electrodes lack these key properties, which hinder applications such as electrophysiological sensing. In this work, a facile spray coating approach to integrate liquid metal nanoparticle systems into textile form factors for conformal, flexible, and robust electrodes is presented. The liquid metal system employs functionalized liquid metal nanoparticles that provide a simple “peel‐off to activate” means of imparting conductivity. The spray coating approach combined with the functionalized liquid metal system enables the creation of long‐term reusable textile‐integrated liquid metal electrodes (TILEs). Although the TILEs are dry electrodes by nature, they show equal skin‐electrode impedances and sensing capabilities with improved wearability compared to commercial wet electrodes. Biocompatibility of TILEs in an in vivo skin environment is demonstrated, while providing improved sensing performance compared to previously reported textile‐based dry electrodes. The “spray on dry—behave like wet” characteristics of TILEs opens opportunities for textile‐based wearable health monitoring, haptics, and augmented/virtual reality applications that require the use of flexible and conformable dry electrodes.

Liquid Metal-Based Electronic Textiles Coated with Au Nanoparticles as Stretchable Electrode Materials for Healthcare Monitoring

“…The conventional and nonstretchable electrodes generated fluctuated baselines (red and green) corresponding to the fist clenching period due to insufficient adhesion with the curvilinear and dynamic skin surface. The baseline fluctuation hindered ECG signal identification, causing the solid and nonstretchable electrodes to be limited to use as real-time monitoring electrodes. , However, since the stretchable AuLM textiles can be tightened on the skin surface, the textile-based electrode offered a stable baseline that is useful for delivering continuous and high-quality signals. The SNR of the ECG signals from the AuLM textile was 20.3 ± 0.7, which is considered high-quality recording performance.…”

Adhesive free, conformable and washable carbon nanotube fabric electrodes for biosensing

“…11b). However, the electrode configuration during measurement resulted in inverted T-wave 63 . The decrease in R to S peak amplitude after 10 washing could be due to some surface damage caused by the friction of metal balls used during washing.…”

Controlling C2C12 Cytotoxicity on Liquid Metal Embedded Elastomer (LMEE)

“…Because they can be engineered to have high thermal conductivity and electrical permittivity while retaining their rubbery elastic properties, LMEE composites have attracted growing attention and have the potential for transformative impact in wearable computing, soft robotics, thermal management, and advanced healthcare applications. [2,4,[8][9][10] However, although promising, little is known about the cytotoxicity of LMEEs and their safety for applications that require direct contact with living cells, tissue, and organs.…”