Researchers from the University of Cambridge have unveiled a revolutionary method dervide from Spider Silk to create ultra-lightweight, eco-friendly sensors that can be “directly and imperceptibly” printed onto biological surfaces such as human skin and flower petals.

Inspired by spider silk, the Cambridge team incorporated biocompatible conducting polymer PEDOT, hyaluronic acid, and polyethylene oxide into their bioelectronic fibers. These fibers, produced from a water-based solution using an orbital spinning method, are at least 50 times smaller than a human hair. Remarkably, they can be printed onto delicate surfaces like the fluffy seedhead of a dandelion without causing damage.

When printed on skin, the fiber sensors conform to the epidermis and expose the sweat pores, allowing for seamless integration without discomfort. Initial tests on human fingers indicate their potential for continuous health monitoring.

Professor Yan Yan Shery Huang, leading the research from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering, emphasized the importance of the interface between the device and the biological surface. “We want bioelectronics that are completely imperceptible to the user, so they don’t interfere with how the user interacts with the world, and we want them to be sustainable and low waste,” she said.

This method could revolutionize healthcare, electronic textiles, and environmental monitoring by making continuous health monitoring more accurate and non-intrusive and enhancing the sensory experience in VR applications.

“These sensors can be made on-demand, right where they’re needed, and produce minimal waste and emissions,” added Huang. Impressively, these bioelectronic fibers can simply be washed away when they reach the end of their useful lifespan.