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- Shape with behavior: in the Russian Federation they have created a material for biosensors and electronic skin
Shape with behavior: in the Russian Federation they have created a material for biosensors and electronic skin
Specialists from Bauman Moscow State Technical University have created a self-healing polyurethane for bioelectronic devices. First of all, it will be used in flexible health monitoring sensors that generate electrical signals in response to external influences - a technology often referred to as electronic skin. It could also be used to create bone scaffolds and artificial muscles implanted in the body. Experts note that already now the prototype of hydrogel surpasses the analog from China in key characteristics.
What hydrogel is needed for
Scientists at the Center of NTI "Digital Materials Science" of Bauman Moscow State Technical University have created a new hydrogel for biosensors. These are devices used to determine the biophysical properties of any system and transfer information about them. The simplest example of such a system is flexible health monitoring sensors. They generate electrical signals in response to an external stimulus. In such systems, conductive polymer hydrogels act as sensing elements. However, their relatively low mechanical strength, which leads to rapid wear and tear, and deterioration of performance due to swelling create problems in practical applications.
- To solve this problem, we have created an ultra-strong conductive self-healing polyurethane physical hydrogel with improved resistance to swelling based on a combination of a "flexible" block that provides excellent hydrophobicity and flexibility, a "rigid" block that provides excellent mechanical properties due to the presence of a large number of reversible intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and a "conductive" block that provides electrically conductive properties," said a researcher at the Center for STI "Digital Materials Science: New Technologies".
Biobased shape memory polyurethanes are potentially applicable in bone tissue engineering as injectable grafts or implantable scaffolds, as well as in the creation of artificial muscles, the developers said.
- Polyimides (polymers) can be used to create artificial hip joints and biosensors, microelectrode matrices for nerve stimulation, artificial blood vessels, means of transportation and drug release. It is expected that self-healing hydrogels will also find wide application as wound dressings, strain sensors, carriers of cells, drugs, proteins and bioelectronic devices," summarized Zalina Lokyaeva.
What industries this technology will help
The development of self-healing hydrogel with shape memory opens new perspectives not only in health monitoring, but also in sensitizing technologies. This hydrogel could significantly improve the interaction between implants and the human body, allowing for more effective and comfortable devices. In the sports industry, such innovations could lead to highly accurate sensors that can help athletes better track their performance and adapt their workouts. The use of hydrogel in sports devices will open up new opportunities to improve performance and prevent injuries to athletes, said Daniil Arzhakov, an IT expert and senior lecturer at Synergy University.
But for the material to be used for implantation in the human body, it is necessary to conduct tests and prove its safety, the expert said.
- This development is of strategic importance for technological progress in bioelectronics, especially in light of the increasing demand for personalized and durable devices. If the product is brought to the market in 2027, it will allow Russia to strengthen its position in the global market of innovative materials and medical technologies, offering a competitive solution with improved," said Ruslan Permyakov, deputy director of the NTI Competence Center "Trusted Interaction Technologies" based at TUSUR.
Self-repairing materials open new opportunities for creating devices that automatically restore their properties when damaged, which significantly reduces operating costs and increases reliability, he summarized.
The expert saw the following application scenarios for the new material: in medicine and healthcare, the new hydrogel can be used in remote diagnostics systems, in wearable devices for continuous monitoring of the patient's condition, as well as for the creation of "smart" patches to control wound healing and assess the condition of the skin. In robotics and prosthetics, it will come in handy for robots designed for human interaction where high flexibility and sensitivity are required, as well as in prosthetics that mimic human skin, with the ability for tactile sensitivity.
- There are other areas for self-healing polyurethane: in sports equipment or clothing with physical activity monitoring functions. In addition, in highly sensitive interfaces for controlling computers or virtual reality through touch, as well as in the creation of intelligent coatings or sensors that work in extreme conditions, including space," Ruslan Permyakov added.
At this stage, the prototype has the third level of readiness (TRL3), i.e. a mock-up sample has been produced and its key characteristics have been demonstrated. Zalina Lokyaeva expects that the full-scale market launch as a finished product will take place in 2027.
