Bioinspired Stretchable Water-Repellent Carbon Nanotube-Implanted Adhesive Electronics Patches

For reliable real-time diagnosis of dynamic human body, wearable devices with adhesive interfaces for vertical/horizontal directions of dry/wet biological surfaces and water-repellent stretchable electrical performance are in high demand. Here, we present an electrically adhesive patch inspired by a diving beetle with a conductive multi-scale architecture, mechanical-stably implanted with nanowires that provides a skin-adaptable, isotropic stretchable interface for a multi-biometric signal monitoring device. Using a facile all-solution-based process, a hydrophobic, stretchable carbon-nanotube-implanted conductive composite electrode on insect-like adhesive architectures is fabricated. The conductive adhesive patch with bioinspired wrinkled microsuction cups exhibits remarkable enhanced wet adhesion with sweat-drainability, as well as high stretchable electrical performance under tensile strain in dry and wet conditions. Furthermore, this unique structure exhibits multidirectional bonding (i.e. normal and shear directions) through enhanced horizontal bonding as well as conventional vertical bonding. Due to the high durability and softness of the biomimetic electro-adhesive patch, its performance is successfully maintained even after repeated attachments (<1000 cycles) and mechanical stretching. In order to demonstrate a multiplexed wearable device by minimizing discomfort and signal noise, ECG and temperature measurement on soft skin can be performed simultaneously in a dry and humid environment