Spider’s Pad Inspired Viscoelastic Hydrogel Damper for Nearly Dynamic Noise-Free Bioelectronics

Bioelectronics needs to continuously monitor mechanical and electrophysiological signals for patients. However, the signals always include artifacts by patients’ unexpected movement (e.g. walking and respiration under ~30 Hz). The current method to remove them is a signal process using a bandpass filter which may cause signal loss. We present an unconventional bandpass filter material, viscoelastic gelatin/chitosan hydrogel damper inspired by the viscoelastic cuticular pad in a spider to remove dynamic mechanical noise artifacts selectively [1]. The hydrogel exhibits frequency-dependent phase transition that results in a rubbery state that damps low-frequency noise and a glassy state that transmits the desired high-frequency signals. It serves as an adaptable passfilter that enables to the acquisition of high-quality signals from patients even with minimizing signal process for advanced bioelectronics.<br/> <br/>[1] B. Park et al. "Cuticular pad–inspired selective frequency damper for nearly dynamic noise–free bioelectronics." <i>Science</i> 376, 624-629 (2022).