A fully hydrophobic ionogel enables highly efficient wearable underwater sensors and communicators

Underwater sensing has extraordinary significance in ocean exploration (e.g., marine resources development, marine biology research, and marine environment reconnaissance), but the great difference between the marine environment and the land environment seriously prevents current traditional sensors from being applied in underwater sensing. Herein, we reported a fully hydrophobic ionogel with long-term underwater adhesion and stability as a highly efficient wearable underwater sensor that displays an excellent sensing performance, including high sensitivity, rapid responsiveness and superior durability. Of greater significance, the ionogel sensor showed tremendous potential in underwater sensing applications for communication, posture monitoring and marine biological research.

Automated summary

Underwater sensing plays a crucial role in ocean exploration, but the difference between marine and land environments hinders the application of traditional sensors. A new hydrophobic ionogel sensor with long-term underwater adhesion and stability demonstrates high sensitivity, rapid responsiveness, and superior durability, showing great potential in various underwater applications in the marine field.