Next-generation wearable technologies: The rise of multifunctional hydrogels in smart electronics

Abstract

The amalgamation of multifunctional hydrogels into the sphere of wearable electronics is significantly reshaping the conceptual model of smart devices, promoting extraordinary levels of flexibility, stretchability, and biocompatibility. This review elucidates the current progress in hydrogel-based materials, highlighting their prominent features such as conductivity, mechanical strength, and biodegradability, which endorse their high suitability for wearable applications. Multifunctional hydrogels, derived from cutting-edge materials including carbon dots, conductive polymers, and natural biopolymers, mitigate the challenges encountered by traditional electronic materials through the advancement of real-time monitoring, biosensing, and therapeutic functionalities. Furthermore, novel fabrication techniques, which encompass polymerization and crosslinking procedures, as well as the intricacies associated with the integration of these materials into present-day electronic systems, are also assessed. Prospective trajectories and potential applications in personalized healthcare, soft robotics, and energy-harvesting devices are investigated, highlighting the increasing significance of hydrogels in the evolution of next-generation wearable technology. This review aspires to furnish a thorough comprehension of the multifunctional characteristics and future prospects of hydrogels in transforming the landscape of wearable electronics.