Self-Adhesive, Conductive,\nand Antibacterial Hydrogel\nNanofiber Composite as a Flexible Strain Sensor

Abstract

With the surging demand for wearable sensor devices,\nthe collective\nfocus of the wearable field has shifted to developing flexible and\nhighly resilient hydrogel sensors with strong adhesiveness. In this\nstudy, hydrogel nanofiber composites were fabricated using an interpenetrating\nframework comprising thermoplastic polyurethane nanofibers and tannic\nacid-derived adhesive hydrogels. The resultant hydrogel nanofiber\ncomposites were distinguished based on their suppleness and adhesion.\nThe material adhered to the human skin surface and an array of other\nsurfaces while displaying commendable extensibility. The substance\nalso exhibited remarkable antibacterial attributes and durability.\nBecause of these advantageous attributes, the synthesized hydrogel\nnanofiber composite can be used to develop flexible strain sensors\nfor tracking microscopic physiological signals and human movements.\nNotably, manipulators can be used with these hydrogel nanofiber composites\nto grasp items and make various digital gestures. The findings of\nthis study are expected to drive research on hydrogel strain sensors\nin the near future.