journal article·2026-07Open access

Stiffness‐Switchable Conductive Nanocomposites with Temperature‐Invariant Conductivity for Long‐Term Brain‐Computer Interfaces on Hair‐Covered Scalp

Bo Shi, Jiangtao Li, Beibei Shao, Chenxi Song, Guilin Bai, Tianyu Lan, Teng Gao, Yuxuan Li, Tao Song, Baoquan Sun

Small· Volume 22· Issue 40

Abstract

ABSTRACT Reliable neural recording on densely hair‐covered scalp remains challenging due to the incompatibility between efficient hair penetration, conformal skin contact, and low‐impedance electrical interfacing. Here, we report a claw‐shaped dry electrode that integrates thermoresponsive phase‐transition networks for reversible stiffness switching, with temperature‐invariant conductivity enabled by crystallization‐induced confinement, achieving comfortable, low‐impedance neural interfacing on densely hair‐covered scalps. The electrode comprises a bottlebrush polymer/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite, in which crystallizable alkyl side chains act as switching units, enabling rigid hair penetration at ambient conditions and compliant, adhesive scalp interfacing at skin temperature. Importantly, side‐chain crystallization imposes spatial confinement on MWCNTs, enabling efficient percolated networks with an ultralow percolation threshold (0.47 wt.%) and high electrical conductivity (1.8 S m −1 ). Meanwhile, strong MWCNTs‐polymer interfacial interactions provide multipoint anchoring that helps preserve conductive pathway continuity across phase transitions, achieving low electrode‐scalp impedance (∼38 kΩ) upon softening and conformal contact. Validated by steady‐state visual evoked potential measurements, this electrode enables high‐fidelity and frequency‐resolved neural signal acquisition and maintains stable operation for over 100 days, supporting a fully wearable brain‐computer interface with real‐time drone control.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Neuroscience and Neural Engineering · Polymer composites and self-healing

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

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Bioinspired Interfacial Materials Science Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM) Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu P. R. China

Macau Institute of Materials Science and Engineering MUST‐SUDA Joint Research Center for Advanced Functional Materials Macau University of Science and Technology Taipa Macau P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology

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