Facile and robust integration of functional hydrogels into micropillar-structured elastomer platforms for stable cardiac bioelectronics
Abstract
Establishing stable electrical communication between living tissues and bioelectronic devices requires soft, conductive, and conformable interfaces. Conductive hydrogels are attractive for this role because their hydrated polymer networks and mixed ionic/electronic conductivity reduce impedance and enhance charge transfer. Yet, challenges remain in integrating hydrogels with device components and achieving reliable tissue adhesion. Here, we present a materials and structural design strategy that enables electrically and mechanically robust devices through sequential formation of elastomer-metal-hydrogel multilayers and single-step laser patterning. The device consists of a micropillar-structured waterborne polyurethane substrate with a Au layer strongly bonded to the pillars, showing
Fields of Study & Subjects
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
3D Printing in Biomedical Research
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Science Advances
- Publisher
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- eaeb9059–eaeb9059
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN