Traditional Korean paper becomes breathable patch for future wearable health care
Wearable health-monitoring devices are becoming increasingly important for personalized health care, but conventional patches often rely on substrates that restrict airflow, trap sweat and cause skin discomfort during prolonged use. These limitations can also interfere with the reliable collection and analysis of sweat, highlighting the need for breathable materials that support both comfortable…
Researchers from Jeonbuk National University in South Korea have developed a breathable wearable patch using traditional Korean mulberry paper, or hanji, for future wearable healthcare applications. The patch combines 3D-printed microneedles for potential drug delivery with printed electrodes for wireless uric acid sensing. The breathable mulberry paper substrate addresses the limitations of conventional patches, which often restrict airflow and cause skin discomfort.
The researchers demonstrated that the porous mulberry paper promotes moisture transport, allowing sweat to accumulate and be transported toward sensing electrodes. The patch's microneedles achieved a drug loading capacity of 25.36% and released 56.41% of the loaded model dye over 80 hours, highlighting its potential for drug delivery applications.
The printed electrochemical sensor detected uric acid concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 8 micromolar, with a detection limit of 9.3 nanomolar, demonstrating its analytical performance. The low-power wireless system enabled data transmission with only about 15 mW of power at peak, making it an attractive option for future wearable healthcare devices.
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