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Updated: Mar 4, 2026
Fabrication and Characterization of a Conformal Skin-like Electronic System for Quantitative, Cutaneous Wound Management
Published on: September 2, 2015
Biomass-Derived Conductive Hydrogel-Based Electronic-Skin Patch for Integrated Wearable Bioelectronics and Real-Time
Xugang Dang1, Boyan Guo1, Xuechuan Wang1
1Institute of Biomass and Function Materials & National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education, College of Bioresources Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Conductive hydrogel-based electronic-skin (e-skin) patches represent an emerging category of smart wound dressings, facilitating innovative approaches to chronic wound repair and real-time monitoring. Despite their advantages in biocompatibility and exudate management, current hydrogel patches frequently suffer from limitations─including single functionality, inadequate real-time monitoring capabilities, and poor adaptability to diverse wound types. Herein, we present a multifunctional biomass-derived conductive hydrogel e-skin patch. It is fabricated via supramolecular assembly of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The resulting network, strengthened by hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and covalent cross-linking, is mechanically robust, conductive, and intelligently responsive. The e-skin patch exhibited outstanding mechanical properties, fatigue resistance, swelling capacity, electrical conductivity, biocompatibility, antibacterial performance, and photothermal conversion capability. Beyond this, it proved remarkably effective in accelerating the healing of full-thickness skin defects while strongly suppressing inflammation─achieving an exceptional 98% healing rate within 14 days. Notably, the e-skin patch sensor demonstrated remarkable real-time monitoring capabilities for real-time monitoring of wound changes, encompassing micromovement detection, tracking of inflammatory temperature elevation, and continuous acquisition of physiological signals. Furthermore, an innovative portable wireless wearable system was proposed by integrating the e-skin patch sensor with a miniaturized electronic chip. The platform enabled continuous real-time monitoring of wound dynamics, with data transmitted via Bluetooth technology to multiple terminal devices including computers, smartphones, and iPads. A fully integrated "sensing-acquisition-transmission-terminal" medical diagnostic and therapeutic system was established, presenting a novel sensing solution with significant potential for precision wound management and intelligent healthcare applications.
