journal article·2026-06-11Open access

Multi‐Axis Stretchable Zippers for Personalized Wound Healing

Siyuan Cai, Guang Yao, Zijian Chen, Shiqi Zhou, Peisi Li, Liheng Lin, Huake Yang, Ziyi Zhou, Linbo Jin, Xingyi Gan, Chenzheng Zhou, Zhen Cai, Taisong Pan, Min Gao, Dongli Fan, Yuan Lin, Yiming Zhang

Abstract

ABSTRACT Effective and controlled mechanical wound closure is essential for preventing infection, promoting re‐epithelialization, and minimizing scarring. However, existing wound closure technologies are limited to uniaxial closures and lack programmability, which hinders their adaptability to wounds with complex morphologies and restricts personalized treatment needs. Here, we propose a multiaxial stretchable wound zipper engineered from electrothermally driven mechanical metamaterials. The device features a hierarchical lattice of shape memory alloys, enabling six axes of stretching and programmable contraction via a smartphone. It delivers adjustable contraction force ranging from 0 to 0.494 MPa, adaptable to diverse wound geometries, with a rapid response time of approximately 1.73 s. In the rat model, the device achieved near‐instantaneous closure of linear wounds and improved the circular wound‐healing rate by 35.91% compared with the control group. Mechanistically, the programmable mechanical contraction promoted vascular regeneration, re‐epithelialization, and collagen matrix remodeling, ultimately accelerating personalized wound healing. The device achieved rapid, robust, and programmable multiaxial contraction, demonstrating substantial potential for personalized wound management and clinical translation.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Wound Healing and Treatments · Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation · Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

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

Affiliations

Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Xinqiao Hospital Army Medical University Chongqing China

School of Materials and Energy University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Chengdu Sichuan China

State Key Laboratory of Electronic Thin Films and Integrated Devices University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Chengdu Sichuan China

Department of Plastic Surgery Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Chengdu Sichuan China

Shenzhen Institute for Advanced Study University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Shenzhen China

Medico‐Engineering Cooperation on Applied Medicine Research Center University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Chengdu Sichuan China

Department of Anesthesiology The First People's Hospital of Longquanyi District Chengdu Sichuan China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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