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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Fabrication and Characterization of a Conformal Skin-like Electronic System for Quantitative, Cutaneous Wound Management
Published on: September 2, 2015
Scalable Hygroscopic Moisture-Electric Generator With Long-Term Stability for Self-Powered Wound-Healing Stimulation
Yujang Cho1, Seongcheol Ahn1, Yeji Han1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
The growing demand for sustainable energy solutions has increased interest in ambient energy harvesters capable of continuous operation under diverse environmental conditions. Here, we report a hygroscopic moisture-electric generator (HMEG) that achieves long-term, self-sustained power generation through an asymmetric architecture composed of montmorillonite and calcium chloride. The integration of hygroscopic materials within a perforated coin-cell structure enables directional moisture transport and persistent ionic gradients, producing a stable open-circuit voltage of 0.55 V and a short-circuit current of 74 µA for 30 days at 50% relative humidity. The device delivers a maximum power density of 3.582 µW cm- 2 and exhibits strong scalability, with a large-area HMEG (7 × 7 cm2) producing 0.64 V and 816 µA for three days. A ten-unit array further outputs 5.5 V and 670 µA, confirming modular energy-harvesting capability. Beyond power generation, a single HMEG enabled in vitro electrical stimulation of L929 fibroblast cells, enhancing wound-healing-related behaviors. The stimulated group showed a 152% increase in cell-covered area on day 3 and 241% on day 5, along with elevated metabolic activity (32.1% and 23.4%). These results establish a durable and biocompatible platform linking moisture-driven energy harvesting with regenerative bioelectronics.

