Leaf-inspired homeostatic cellulose biosensors

An incompatibility between skin homeostasis and existing biosensor interfaces inhibits long-term electrophysiological signal measurement. Inspired by the leaf homeostasis system, we developed the first homeostatic cellulose biosensor with functions of protection, sensation, self-regulation, and biosafety. Moreover, we find that a mesoporous cellulose membrane transforms into homeostatic material with properties that include high ion conductivity, excellent flexibility and stability, appropriate adhesion force, and self-healing effects when swollen in a saline solution. The proposed biosensor is found to maintain a stable skin-sensor interface through homeostasis even when challenged by various stresses, such as a dynamic environment, severe detachment, dense hair, sweat, and long-term measurement. Last, we demonstrate the high usability of our homeostatic biosensor for continuous and stable measurement of electrophysiological signals and give a showcase application in the field of brain-computer interfacing where the biosensors and machine learning together help to control real-time applications beyond the laboratory at unprecedented versatility.

Automated summary

The study introduces a homeostatic cellulose biosensor inspired by leaf homeostasis, which provides protection, sensation, self-regulation, and biosafety functions. Researchers found that a mesoporous cellulose membrane can transform into a homeostatic material with high ion conductivity, excellent flexibility, stability, appropriate adhesion force, and self-healing effects when swollen in a saline solution. This biosensor is capable of maintaining a stable skin-sensor interface through homeostasis, even under various stresses like a dynamic environment, severe detachment, dense hair, sweat, and long-term measurement. Additionally, the biosensor shows high usability for continuous and stable measurement of electrophysiological signals in brain-computer interfacing applications, demonstrating unprecedented versatility beyond the laboratory.