Nanofibrillar conductive hydrogel adhesive for soft bioelectronic interfaces

Conventional hydrogels often fail to simultaneously balance the mechanical resilience, tissue adhesion, and electrical conductivity-key requirements for reliable soft bioelectronic interfaces in monitoring scenarios. In this study, we introduce a conductive nanofibrillar double-network hydrogel adhesive that enables real-time, long-term monitoring of human motion and physiological signals, including electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG), and lung respiration. The double-network matrix, coupled with silver nanoparticle-doped protein nanofibrils, facilitates tunable mechanical properties, tissue-adhesive characteristics, and electrical conductivity of the structural material. The ultra-sensitive strain responsiveness enables precise and reliable detection of various body movements, from finger bending to subtle vocal cord vibration, as well as real-time monitoring of cardiac activity, muscle contractions, and respiratory patterns. Demonstrations in large animal models illustrate its capabilities in sealing lung injury and long-term monitoring lung activity, enabling early detection of abnormalities and facilitating potential personalized healthcare interventions in clinical settings.