Flexible and stretchable printed conducting polymer devices for electrodermal activity measurements

Highly stretchable and flexible bioelectronics should form close contact with skin and tissues while being able to withstand the stresses and strains endured by the body in order to reliably monitor physiological signals over time. Here, we report highly stretchable poly 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene: polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) films printed on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) substrates. We established the stabilityof the device conductivity under high strains up to 600%. The printed PEDOT:PSS film enabled the fabrication of printed organic electrochemical transistors with an ON/OFF ratio of similar to 450 on a flexible substrate. We also acquired physiological signals from measuring the skin conductance arising from changes in sweat volume by directly interfacing a printed PEDOT:PSS-based sensor on TPU with human skin. Stretchable printed PEDOT:PSS films on TPU provide a facile method of producing highly stable stretchable sensors for bioelectronic applications, enabled with simple and direct printing fabrication.

Automated summary

Highly stretchable and flexible PEDOT:PSS films printed on TPU substrates were demonstrated, showing stability of device conductivity under high strains. The printed films were used to fabricate organic electrochemical transistors with high ON/OFF ratio, and physiological signals were acquired by directly measuring skin conductance.