Review of Breathable Electronics

When applied to the human body, flexible wearable devices must not only address issues of mechanical fit and biocompatibility, but also overcome key bottlenecks, such as skin irritation, signal drift, and poor stability caused by the insufficient breathability of traditional flexible electronics. Breathable electronics have emerged in response to these challenges. Characterized by high breathability, low irritation and conformable adhesion, they are dedicated to resolving problems, such as skin irritation and poor long-term signal stability caused by the lack of breathability in traditional flexible electronics. Therefore, this review first systematically outlines the implementation strategies for breathable electronics, including the preparation of stretchable substrates, the incorporation of breathable microstructures, and strategies for forming conductive pathways. Subsequently, the principles, materials, and performance characteristics of key discrete components are introduced, such as interconnect circuits and energy devices. Cutting-edge applications of breathable electronics in fields such as health monitoring and electronic skin are summarized. The construction of fully functional systems is further explored, which is primarily in the form of fabric-integrated and patch-based devices, through system integration strategies. Subsequently, the long-term failure mechanisms in practical deployment, including spanning sweat corrosion, mechanical fatigue, washing damage, and environmental aging, are critically examined, alongside corresponding material, structural, and algorithmic reliability enhancement strategies. Finally, the challenges facing breathable electronics technology in terms of system integration and long-term stability are analyzed, and the potential for future development through interdisciplinary convergence is proposed.