Ultrabroad Pressure Sensing, Ultrasensitive, Multi-Signal Ionogel-Based Microneedles For Wearable Respiratory Health Monitoring

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-12-2026

School

Polymer Science and Engineering

Abstract

Developing wearable devices with high sensitivity, low-pressure detection, and multi-signal monitoring capabilities is critical for the effective diagnosis of respiratory diseases. Here, this work reports a wearable mask that integrates with a printed circuit board (PCB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, in tandem with ionogel-based microneedle patches (IMN-1/2) featuring a regularized microarray structure. By leveraging its gradient morphology, IMN-1/2 achieves a pressure detection limit as low as 0.3 Pa and an ultrahigh sensitivity of 2980.23 kPa⁻¹ in low-pressure range, enabling the effective monitoring of extremely weak breathing pressure signals. Moreover, hydrophilic N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) of IMN-1/2 impart the patches with distinct amphiphilic characteristics that limited swelling while allowing for slow, controlled water absorption. When weakly alkaline exhaled breath condensate (EBC) permeates the IMN-1/2 structure, it alters the charge state of cationic fluorescent crosslinkers, leading to a reduction in fluorescence intensity; this pH-responsive behavior facilitated long-term monitoring and potential diagnosis of respiratory alkalosis. Furthermore, the strong adhesion of IMN-1/2 enhances the sealing integrity of IMN-1/2-integrated masks, physically restricting CO2 inhalation and reducing arterial blood pH values of wearers, thus enabling physical therapy for respiratory alkalosis. This work demonstrates efficient ultralow-pressure monitoring, expanding the diagnostic capabilities of piezo-resistive pressure sensors through structural design.

Publication Title

Advanced Functional Materials

Volume

36

Issue

4

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