Nanomaterials in Skin-Inspired Electronics: Toward Soft and Robust Skin-like Electronic Nanosystems

Abstract

Skin-inspired wearable electronic/biomedical systems based on functional nanomaterials with exceptional electrical and mechanical properties have revolutionized wearable applications, such as portable Internet of Things, personalized healthcare monitors, human-machine interfaces, and even always-connected precise medicine systems. Despite these advancements, including the ability to predict and to control nanolevel phenomena of functional nanomaterials precisely and strategies for integrating nanomaterials onto desired substrates without performance losses, skin-inspired electronic nanosystems are not yet feasible beyond proof-of-concept devices. In this Perspective, we provide an outlook on skin-like electronics through the review of several recent reports on various materials strategies and integration methodologies of stretchable conducting and semiconducting nanomaterials, which are used as electrodes and active layers in stretchable sensors, transistors, multiplexed arrays, and integrated circuits. To overcome the challenge of realizing robust electronic nanosystems, we discuss using nanomaterials in dynamically cross-linked polymer matrices, focusing on the latest innovations in stretchable self-healing electronics, which could change the paradigm of wearable electronics.