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A three-dimensional liquid diode for soft, integrated permeable electronics.

Binbin ZhangJiyu LiJingkun ZhouLung ChowGuangyao ZhaoYa HuangZhiqiang MaQiang ZhangYawen YangChun Ki YiuJian LiFengjun ChunXingcan HuangYuyu GaoPengcheng WuShengxin JiaHu LiDengfeng LiYiming LiuKuanming YaoRui ShiZhenlin ChenBee Luan KhooWeiqing YangFeng WangZijian ZhengZuankai WangXinge Yu
Published in: Nature (2024)
Wearable electronics with great breathability enable a comfortable wearing experience and facilitate continuous biosignal monitoring over extended periods 1-3 . However, current research on permeable electronics is predominantly at the stage of electrode and substrate development, which is far behind practical applications with comprehensive integration with diverse electronic components (for example, circuitry, electronics, encapsulation) 4-8 . Achieving permeability and multifunctionality in a singular, integrated wearable electronic system remains a formidable challenge. Here we present a general strategy for integrated moisture-permeable wearable electronics based on three-dimensional liquid diode (3D LD) configurations. By constructing spatially heterogeneous wettability, the 3D LD unidirectionally self-pumps the sweat from the skin to the outlet at a maximum flow rate of 11.6 ml cm -2  min -1 , 4,000 times greater than the physiological sweat rate during exercise, presenting exceptional skin-friendliness, user comfort and stable signal-reading behaviour even under sweating conditions. A detachable design incorporating a replaceable vapour/sweat-discharging substrate enables the reuse of soft circuitry/electronics, increasing its sustainability and cost-effectiveness. We demonstrated this fundamental technology in both advanced skin-integrated electronics and textile-integrated electronics, highlighting its potential for scalable, user-friendly wearable devices.
Keyphrases
  • heart rate
  • soft tissue
  • wastewater treatment
  • wound healing
  • ionic liquid
  • high intensity
  • blood pressure