Sustainable Sensors from Biosourced and Biodegradable Materials

Despite the PDMS/PEDOT:PSS duo that has proven suitable for enabling bioelectronics, they suffer from major limitations. On one hand, PDMS is neither sustainable nor recyclable. Indeed, it is derived from non-renewable resources. On the other hand, PEDOT:PSS when coated as a contiguous film, does not meet the mechanical compliance of the stretchable and bendable substrate on which it is deposited. Moreover, it cannot be blended prior to the curing to PDMS owing to its incompatibility for blending with monomers. There is need for substrates that are both derived from renewable sources and can be recycled after their use in wearable electronics. This is complemented by a need to make the substrates conductive while not compromising their mechanical compliance with skin. Towards addressing these challenges, it will be demonstrated that a biosourced polymer that is biodegradable can replace PDMS in wearable sensors. The stretchable/bendable substrate can also be rendered conductive by incorporating a water-soluble and self-doped conjugated organic polymer. It will be shown that a homogenous and self-standing film that is conductive can be prepared. It will further be illustrated that the film meets both the mechanical and electronic requisites for its use in wearable electronics. This will further be demonstrated by using the conductive elastomer in two applications: a strain sensor for tracking human movement and phonetics detection by following human micromovements.