KES5-1095
Hydrogel Elastomer-based Conductive Nanomembranes for Soft Bioelectronics
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
15:00 - 15:25
Presenter(s)
BongSoo Kim (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST))
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Conformal integration of electronics with soft, irregular organ topologies remains challenging, as tissue-like platforms with bulky dimensions–from a few millimetres to several hundreds of micrometres–often result in incomplete signal acquisition and chronic tissue compression. Although ultrathin nanoscale devices have recently been developed to address these challenges, they involve complex and delicate handling processes that limit their practical use and compromise their intrinsic performance. Here, we introduce a novel material strategy that enables a paradigm shift in soft bioelectronics: the development of a transformable and imperceptible hydrogel–elastomer adhesive bilayer based on ionic–electronic conductive nanomembranes (THIN, total thickness of 350 nm). This approach leverages the amphiphilic properties of the robust combination of a hydrophilic tissue-adhesive hydrogel and a hydrophobic semiconducting elastomer. Dynamic bonding interactions at a heterogeneous interface that are formed through a spin-coating process based on orthogonal solvents, facilitate full compatibility with microfabrication. THIN exhibits instantaneous rigid-to-soft phase transformation (hardness: 1.35 to 0.035 GPa; stiffness: 0.16 to 9.11×10-5 GPa μm4), enabling two key functionalities: i) facile handling when fully dried, and ii) complete conformal contact with diverse surfaces, even to those with low bending radii, upon hydration, along with rapid spontaneous adhesiveness. To demonstrate the unique electrical and mechanical characteristics of THIN, it was integrated into the active channel of an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) with a high µC* product of 1034 F cm-1 V-1 s-1. The resulting THIN-OECT exhibited an exceptional strain-insensitive ion–electron conduction performance, facilitating imperceptible tissue interfacing and precise bio-signal monitoring through transformable phase changes.
