Recent Advances in Bioinspired Hydrogels: Materials, Devices, and Biosignal Computing

The remarkable ability of biological systems to sense and adapt to complex environmental conditions has inspired new materials and novel designs for next-generation wearable devices. Hydrogels are being intensively investigated for their versatile functions in wearable devices due to their superior softness, biocompatibility, and rapid stimulus response. This review focuses on recent strategies for developing bioinspired hydrogel wearable devices that can accommodate mechanical strain and integrate seamlessly with biological systems. We will provide an overview of different types of bioinspired hydrogels tailored for wearable devices. Next, we will discuss the recent progress of bioinspired hydrogel wearable devices such as electronic skin and smart contact lenses. Also, we will comprehensively summarize biosignal readout methods for hydrogel wearable devices as well as advances in powering and wireless data transmission technologies. Finally, current challenges facing these wearable devices are discussed, and future directions are proposed.

Automated summary

The ability of biological systems to sense and adapt to complex environmental conditions has led to the development of new materials and designs for wearable devices. Hydrogels have garnered significant interest due to their softness, biocompatibility, and quick response to stimuli. This review focuses on the recent strategies for developing bioinspired hydrogel wearable devices that can withstand mechanical strain and seamlessly integrate with biological systems. It provides an overview of different types of bioinspired hydrogels tailored for wearable devices and discusses the progress in electronic skin and smart contact lenses. The review also comprehensively summarizes biosignal readout methods, advancements in powering and wireless data transmission technologies for hydrogel wearable devices, and proposes future directions.