University of Groningen Researchers Develop Flexible Conductive Polymer for Health Monitoring and Wearable Sensors

(Photos: Reyer Boxem) University of Groningen Researchers Develop Flexible Conductive Polymer for Health Monitoring and Wearable Sensors

(IN BRIEF) Associate Professor Ranjita Bose from Polymer Engineering has developed a revolutionary conductive polymer that combines the flexibility of plastics with the conductivity of metals. This material can be applied to delicate surfaces, including textile fibers and human skin, without requiring harmful post-processing steps. The polymer has numerous potential applications, such as flexible solar panels, solid-state batteries, and wearable sensors, including health-monitoring tattoos. In particular, the polymer has been adapted to monitor wound healing by detecting conductivity changes as an infection begins. PhD student Adrivit Mukherjee has demonstrated the safety of this polymer by tattooing it onto his skin, showing its biocompatibility. This research is part of the UG Makers initiative, which highlights tangible innovations created by researchers at the University of Groningen.

(PRESS RELEASE) GRONINGEN, 3-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A groundbreaking innovation in the field of conductive materials has emerged, with a flexible and electrically conductive polymer that can be applied to a wide range of surfaces, from plastic to delicate materials like textile fibers and even human skin. This revolutionary material, developed by Associate Professor Ranjita Bose of Polymer Engineering, merges the flexibility of plastics with the conductivity typically seen in metals. “It’s a conductive polymer that combines the flexibility of plastics with the conductivity of metals,” explains Bose, emphasizing the versatility and potential of this material.

The uses for such a polymer are vast. Bose imagines a future where flexible solar panels could be embedded in everyday items like backpacks or screens, or where batteries might use a solid, polymer-coated material instead of liquid. Wearable sensors, including those that could function as tattoos on the skin, could directly monitor health data. In one compelling example, the polymer has been designed to monitor wound healing. According to Bose, “When a wound starts to infect, the acidity decreases,” altering the material’s conductivity. By applying the polymer directly to the skin near a wound, early infection signs can be detected through changes in conductivity.

This advancement is made possible by the one-step process developed by Bose and her team. Unlike traditional conductive polymers, which require multiple stages and harsh conditions like solvents, acids, or extreme temperatures, their method eliminates the need for post-processing, making it suitable for delicate applications. PhD student Adrivit Mukherjee has even successfully tattooed the conductive polymer onto his skin, demonstrating its biocompatibility after lab tests confirmed it poses no harm to human tissue.

This work is part of UG Makers, an initiative that showcases researchers developing tangible innovations. In this way, UG researchers are making significant contributions to solving major scientific and societal challenges. Engineering at the University of Groningen has long been a leading force, and its collaborations with other technical universities continue to grow stronger.

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SOURCE: University of Groningen