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Imperceptible augmentation of living systems with organic bioelectronic fibres
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Researchers developed ultrathin, substrate-free organic electronic fiber networks that can be spun directly onto biological surfaces — including human skin and plant leaves — enabling imperceptible health monitoring sensors such as ECG and EMG electrodes that can also be repaired and recycled.
The functional and sensory augmentation of living structures, such as human skin and plant epidermis, with electronics can be used to create platforms for health management and environmental monitoring. Ideally, such bioelectronic interfaces should not obstruct the inherent sensations and physiological changes of their hosts. The full life cycle of the interfaces should also be designed to minimize their environmental footprint. Here we report imperceptible augmentation of living systems through in situ tethering of organic bioelectronic fibres. Using an orbital spinning technique, substrate-free and open fibre networks-which are based on poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate-can be tethered to biological surfaces, including fingertips, chick embryos and plants. We use customizable fibre networks to create on-skin electrodes that can record electrocardiogram and electromyography signals, skin-gated organic electrochemical transistors and augmented touch and plant interfaces. We also show that the fibres can be used to couple prefabricated microelectronics and electronic textiles, and that the fibres can be repaired, upgraded and recycled.
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Sustainable and imperceptible augmentation of living structures with organic bioelectronic fibres
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Not relevant to microplastics — this bioelectronics study demonstrates imperceptibly thin PEDOT:PSS organic fibers that can be tethered directly onto living surfaces like human skin and plant leaves to enable biopotential sensing and wearable electronics.
Microplastics from Wearable Bioelectronic Devices: Sources, Risks, and Sustainable Solutions
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This review highlights that polymer-based wearable bioelectronic devices — such as electronic skins used in continuous health monitoring — can shed microplastics during use, and calls for sustainable polymer design strategies to address this overlooked emission source.
Cellulose nanofiber-based electrode as a component of an enzyme-catalyzed biofuel cell
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Researchers developed a flexible, biodegradable biofuel cell using cellulose nanofiber electrodes as a plastic-free alternative for wearable sensors. The device performed comparably to plastic-based equivalents and is readily disposable like paper, offering a path toward reducing microplastic contamination from disposable electronic devices.
Eco-Friendly Free-Standing Conductive PEDOT-based Nonwovens for Wearable and Flexible Touch Sensors
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PEDOT:PSS/PEO electrospun nanofiber mats showed improved conductivity and mechanical strength after thermal treatment, and ecotoxicological tests on freshwater and marine organisms confirmed environmental compatibility. This work is relevant to plastic pollution research as it demonstrates a pathway for designing conductive polymer materials — a growing source of nanoplastic contamination — with built-in environmental safety evaluation.
Breathable and wearable graphene/waterborne polyurethane coated regenerated polyethylene terephthalate fabrics for motion sensing and thermal therapy
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Researchers created a flexible smart fabric by coating recycled polyester with graphene and waterborne polyurethane, producing a wearable sensor that detects body movements with high sensitivity and can also generate heat on demand — demonstrating a functional reuse of recycled plastic fibers in health-monitoring wearables.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.