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Hydrogel-based electrodes for high-fidelity sEMG acquisition and robotic hand control.
Ziqing Yu1,2, Yunqing Gu3,4, Yun Ren5
1College of Metrology Measurement and Instrument, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China.
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
|March 25, 2026
Summary
This study developed a novel conductive hydrogel electrode for superior surface electromyography (sEMG) signal acquisition in human-machine interaction (HMI) systems. The advanced hydrogel offers high stretchability, conductivity, and self-healing properties for robust HMI applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Robotics
Background:
- Stable surface electromyography (sEMG) signal acquisition is crucial for high-performance human-machine interaction (HMI) systems.
- Conductive hydrogels offer potential for physiological electrodes due to flexibility, conductivity, and biocompatibility.
- Existing hydrogels face challenges in simultaneously achieving high stretchability, conductivity, self-healing, and adhesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel hydrogel electrode with superior comprehensive performance for sEMG signal acquisition.
- To overcome limitations of existing materials in stretchability, conductivity, self-healing, and adhesion.
- To demonstrate the efficacy of the developed hydrogel in HMI applications, including robotic hand control.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a hydrogel electrode using acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), chitosan (CS), tannic acid (TA), and glycerol (Gly) via thermally initiated polymerization.
- Characterized the hydrogel's mechanical properties (stretchability), electrical conductivity, sensitivity, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
- Integrated the hydrogel electrodes with flexible electronic devices for sEMG signal acquisition and decoding, and tested with a biomimetic robotic hand.
Main Results:
- The PCGK-CT hydrogel exhibited outstanding stretchability (1250% elongation), high conductivity (0.027 S/m), and excellent sensitivity (gauge factor of 0.47 at 350% strain).
- Achieved a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR of 13.8 ± 0.3 dB) and demonstrated desirable self-adhesive and self-healing properties.
- Successfully acquired high-fidelity sEMG signals, enabled intelligent decoding, and controlled a biomimetic robotic hand with realistic motion.
Conclusions:
- The developed hydrogel electrode possesses superior comprehensive performance, addressing key challenges in flexible sensor materials.
- The study establishes a feasible technical pathway for advanced sEMG-based HMI systems.
- The findings provide a foundation for further research and applications in related fields, particularly in wearable electronics and bio-interfacing.
