Researchers at the University of Cambridge have pioneered a method to create adaptive and eco-friendly sensors that can be imperceptibly printed onto a variety of biological surfaces, from human skin to delicate flower petals. Inspired by the conforming and adhesive properties of spider silk, these sensors, referred to as “spider silks,” incorporate bioelectronics to provide versatile sensing capabilities.
The fibers, which are at least 50 times thinner than a human hair, are exceptionally lightweight. This allows them to be printed directly onto delicate structures like a dandelion seedhead without causing damage. When applied to human skin, the fiber sensors adapt to the skin’s surface and expose sweat pores, rendering them virtually undetectable to the wearer. Tests on human fingers indicate their potential use as continuous health monitors. This innovative, low-waste, and low-emission method for augmenting living structures could revolutionize fields such as healthcare, virtual reality, electronic textiles, and environmental monitoring. The findings are detailed in the journal Nature Electronics.
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