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Updated: May 5, 2026
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Fabrication and Characterization of a Conformal Skin-like Electronic System for Quantitative, Cutaneous Wound Management
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Flexible Strain-Temperature Dual-Modal Smart Patch Based on 3D Printing for Wound Healing Promotion and Health
Chenghan Yi1, Zikang Zhang1, Siyi Xiang1
1Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology & National Key Laboratory of Advanced Micro and Nano Manufacture Technology, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 4, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a durable, breathable hydrogel sensor for monitoring open joint wound healing. The 3D-printed sensor tracks movement and temperature, enhancing rehabilitation with real-time data.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Wearable Technology
Background:
- Postoperative monitoring of open joint wounds necessitates reliable physiological tracking.
- Existing wearable sensors face challenges like poor adhesion, breathability, and dehydration, limiting their use on wound sites.
- Hydrogel sensors offer biocompatibility but struggle with dehydration and gas exchange in bulk forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an advanced hydrogel sensing platform for long-term, real-time monitoring of patients undergoing joint wound rehabilitation.
- To overcome limitations of conventional sensors by enhancing hydration, breathability, and mechanical compliance.
- To enable dual-mode sensing of strain and temperature with improved stability and reduced cross-interference.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a dehydration-resistant hydrogel using a water/glycerol solvent and electrolyte for enhanced stability (>1000 h).
- 3D printing of a mesh-structured hydrogel sensor to improve breathability and mechanical flexibility.
- Integration of the sensor into a wireless smart patch with machine learning for movement pattern classification.
Main Results:
- The hydrogel sensor demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and promoted wound healing.
- Achieved stable dual-mode strain (GF=2.4 at 47.5-135% strain) and temperature (TCR=-4.2% °C⁻¹ at 22-32 °C) sensing with minimal cross-interference.
- The wireless system enabled real-time monitoring and classification of rehabilitation movements.
Conclusions:
- The developed hydrogel sensing platform offers a promising solution for extended-use wearable monitoring in post-operative rehabilitation.
- The system's design addresses key challenges in hydrogel sensor technology, paving the way for improved patient care.
- This work highlights the potential of integrated material, structural, and computational strategies for advanced wearable health monitoring.
