Highly Conformal Polymers for Ambulatory Electrophysiological Sensing

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Stable ambulatory electrophysiological sensing is vital for e-healthcare, disease diagnosis, and human-machine interaction.
• The conformal property of on-skin electrodes is critical for stable, long-term electrophysiological signal monitoring.
• Highly conformal polymers are increasingly sought after to achieve optimal electrode-skin contact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in highly conformal polymers for ambulatory electrophysiological sensing.
• To discuss synthetic methods, conformal properties, and applications of these polymers.
• To highlight future challenges and opportunities in this field.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent progress in conformal polymers for on-skin electrodes.
• Categorization of polymers based on their material origin and properties.
• Analysis of synthetic approaches and application potential.

Main Results:

• Identified three main types of highly conformal polymers: nature silk fibroin-based, marine mussel-bioinspired, and others (zwitterionic, polyacrylamides).
• These polymers demonstrate promising conformal properties for stable, long-term electrophysiological signal monitoring.
• The review details their synthesis, properties, and potential applications in e-healthcare.

Conclusions:

• Highly conformal polymers are key to improving the stability and reliability of on-skin electrophysiological sensing.
• Further research into synthetic methods and material design will enhance their application in smart e-healthcare.
• Addressing future challenges will unlock new opportunities for advanced conformal polymer development.