Rugged and breathable forms of stretchable electronics with adherent composite substrates for transcutaneous monitoring.

Kyung-In Jang, Sang Youn Han, Sheng Xu, Kyle E Mathewson, Yihui Zhang, Jae-Woong Jeong, Gwang-Tae Kim, R Chad Webb, Jung Woo Lee, Thomas J Dawidczyk, Rak Hwan Kim, Young Min Song, Woon-Hong Yeo, Stanley Kim, Huanyu Cheng, Sang Il Rhee, Jeahoon Chung, Byunggik Kim, Ha Uk Chung, Dongjun Lee, Yiyuan Yang, Moongee Cho, John G Gaspar, Ronald Carbonari, Monica Fabiani, Gabriele Gratton, Yonggang Huang, John A Rogers

Journal: Nature communications 2015;5():4779

PMID: 25182939

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Abstract

Research in stretchable electronics involves fundamental scientific topics relevant to applications with importance in human healthcare. Despite significant progress in active components, routes to mechanically robust construction are lacking. Here, we introduce materials and composite designs for thin, breathable, soft electronics that can adhere strongly to the skin, with the ability to be applied and removed hundreds of times without damaging the devices or the skin, even in regions with substantial topography and coverage of hair. The approach combines thin, ultralow modulus, cellular silicone materials with elastic, strain-limiting fabrics, to yield a compliant but rugged platform for stretchable electronics. Theoretical and experimental studies highlight the mechanics of adhesion and elastic deformation. Demonstrations include cutaneous optical, electrical and radio frequency sensors for measuring hydration state, electrophysiological activity, pulse and cerebral oximetry. Multipoint monitoring of a subject in an advanced driving simulator provides a practical example.

Address: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.; 1] Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA [2] Samsung Display Co. Display R&D Center, Yongin-city, Gyeongki-do 446-711, Republic of Korea.; 1] Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA [2] Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3.; 1] Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Center for Engineering and Health and Skin Disease Research Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA [2] Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Engineering and Health and Skin Disease Research Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA [3] Center for Mechanics and Materials, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.; Department of Electronic Engineering, Pusan National University, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609735, Republic of Korea.; Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23284, USA.; 1] Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Center for Engineering and Health and Skin Disease Research Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA [2] Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Engineering and Health and Skin Disease Research Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.; 1] Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA [2] Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.

DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5779

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MeSH Terms: Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous, Brain, Elasticity, Electronics, Electrophysiological Phenomena, Equipment Design, Humans, Monitoring, Physiologic, Oximetry, Silicones, Skin