Electrokinetic ion transport in nanofluidics and membranes with applications in bioanalysis and beyond

Highly Stretchable, Knittable, Wearable Fiberform Hydrovoltaic Generators Driven by Water Transpiration for Portable Self-Power Supply and Self-Powered Strain Sensor

The development of excellently stretchable, highly mobile, and sustainable power supplies is of great importance for self-power wearable electronics. Transpiration-driven hydrovoltaic power generator (HPG) has been demonstrated to be a promising energy harvesting strategy with the advantages of negative heat and zero-carbon emissions. Herein, this work demonstrates a fiber-based stretchable HPG with the advantages of high output, portability, knittability, and sustainable power generation. Based on the functionalized micro-nano water diffusion channels constructed by the discarded mask straps (MSs) and oxidation-treated carbon nanomaterials, the applied water can continuously produce electricity during the spontaneous flow and diffusion. Experimentally, when a tiny 0.1 mL of water encounters one end of the proposed HPG, the centimeter-length device can yield a peak voltage of 0.43 V, peak current of 29.5 µA, and energy density of 5.833 mW h cm-3. By efficiently integrating multiple power generation units, sufficient output power can be provided to drive commercial electronic devices even in the stretched state. Furthermore, due to the reversibility of the electrical output during dynamic stretching-releasing, it can passively convert physiological activities and motion behaviors into quantifiable and processable current signals, opening up HPG's application in the field of self-powered wearable sensing.

Hydrogel-Based Flexible Electronics

Flexible electronics is an emerging field of research involving multiple disciplines, which include but not limited to physics, chemistry, materials science, electronic engineering, and biology. However, the broad applications of flexible electronics are still restricted due to several limitations, including high Young's modulus, poor biocompatibility, and poor responsiveness. Innovative materials aiming for overcoming these drawbacks and boost its practical application is highly desirable. Hydrogel is a class of 3D crosslinked hydrated polymer networks, and its exceptional material properties render it as a promising candidate for the next generation of flexible electronics. Here, the latest methods of synthesizing advanced functional hydrogels and the state-of-art applications of hydrogel-based flexible electronics in various fields are reviewed. More importantly, the correlation between properties of the hydrogel and device performance is discussed here, to have better understanding of the development of flexible electronics by using environmentally responsive hydrogels. Last, perspectives on the current challenges and future directions in the development of hydrogel-based multifunctional flexible electronics are provided.

Recent advances in polymeric nanostructured ion selective membranes for biomedical applications

Nano structured ion-selective membranes (ISMs) are very attractive materials for a wide range of sensing and ion separation applications. The present review focuses on the design principles of various ISMs; nanostructured and ionophore/ion acceptor doped ISMs, and their use in biomedical engineering. Applications of ISMs in the biomedical field have been well-known for more than half a century in potentiometric analysis of biological fluids and pharmaceutical products. However, the emergence of nanotechnology and sophisticated sensing methods assisted in miniaturising ion-selective electrodes to needle-like sensors that can be designed in the form of implantable or wearable devices (smartwatch, tattoo, sweatband, fabric patch) for health monitoring. This article provides a critical review of recent advances in miniaturization, sensing and construction of new devices over last decade (2011-2021). The designing of tunable ISM with biomimetic artificial ion channels offered intensive opportunities and innovative clinical analysis applications, including precise biosensing, controlled drug delivery and early disease diagnosis. This paper will also address the future perspective on potential applications and challenges in the widespread use of ISM for clinical use. Finally, this review details some recommendations and future directions to improve the accuracy and robustness of ISMs for biomedical applications.