journal article·2026-06-10

Fully Biobased, Robust, and High-Conductivity Hydrogel for High-Fidelity Electrophysiological Monitoring and Deep Learning-Assisted Stroke Rehabilitation

Zhoujing Chen, Didi Wen, Xiaoli Liang, Yuqi Li, Yongkang Bai

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces· Volume 18· Issue 22
Publisher page

Abstract

Developing sustainable bioelectronics that simultaneously integrate mechanical robustness, high conductivity, biocompatibility, and system-level functionality remains a fundamental challenge. Here, we report a Hofmeister-engineered, fully biobased hydrogel platform (GT2C20) that addresses these limitations through a synergistic dual physical cross-linking network. By combining citrate-induced chain compaction and continuous ionic transport pathways, this hydrogel achieves high tensile strength (0.73 MPa), large extensibility (272.5%), and high electrical conductivity (1.8 S m-1), overcoming intrinsic trade-offs in conventional gelatin-based systems. Building on these properties, GT2C20 enables an integrated multifunctional bioelectronic system. As a skin-conformal bioelectrode, it provides high-fidelity acquisition of electrophysiological signals (ECG, EEG, and EMG), achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio (24.3 dB for ECG) compared to commercial Ag/AgCl electrodes. When integrated with deep learning algorithms, the platform enables autonomous assessment of Brunnstrom stages for stroke rehabilitation with an accuracy of 97.31%, while a wireless telemedicine system supports remote diagnosis and personalized healthcare management. In parallel, the hydrogel functions as a highly stable strain sensor for real-time motion monitoring and precise gesture recognition, enabling intuitive control of prosthetic devices. Additionally, the hydrogel acts as a triboelectric nanogenerator electrode, yielding an open-circuit voltage of 72.1 V to power its own functions, while a microcontroller system supports wireless telemedicine and remote rehabilitation monitoring. This work presents an eco-friendly strategy for fabricating high-performance, biobased flexible electronics suited for health monitoring, telemedicine, and soft robotics.
Source: europepmc · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Dielectric materials and actuators · Muscle activation and electromyography studies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Guangxi Key Laboratory of Optical and Electronic Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering

Guilin University of Technology

Department of Radiology

Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University

Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomedical Polymer Materials, Guangxi Department of Education

Key Laboratory of Functional Textile Material and Product of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering

Xi’an Polytechnic University

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Innovation Project of Guangxi Graduate Education · Guangxi Key Technologies R&D Program · Central Government Guides Local Science and Technology Development Funding Projects

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