Implantable Wet‐Adhesive Flexible Electronics with Ultrathin Gelatin Film

Abstract

AbstractImplantable flexible electronic has attracted significant research interest in various fields. However, it still faces the challenge of simultaneously achieving tight adhesion to tissues in a mildly wet environment and possessing excellent biocompatibility to reduce immune rejection reactions after implantation. Here, a degradable wet‐adhesive flexible electronic device based on liquid metal and ultrathin gelatin film is developed. The ultrathin gelatin film forms numerous hydrogen bonds with tissue in a slightly humid environment, rapidly constructing a wet‐adhesive interface without damaging tissue structure. Inkjet printing is utilized to pattern the mixture of liquid metal and PVP on the surface of the ultrathin gelatin to create flexible patch. With the excellent conductivity of liquid metal, low toxicity, and similarity to natural tissue components of gelatin, flexible patch exhibits outstanding biocompatibility and fatigue resistance. It can be implanted in the body for up to 6 weeks, retaining monitoring capabilities and resisting 1 000 000 cycles of bending fatigue. This study provides a novel strategy for the future development of implantable flexible electronics.