Published in

American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science Advances, 23(8), 2022

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo0537

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Thermally switchable, crystallizable oil and silicone composite adhesives for skin-interfaced wearable devices

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Continuous health monitoring is essential for clinical care, especially for patients in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. Monitoring currently requires wired biosensors affixed to the skin with strong adhesives that can cause irritation and iatrogenic injuries during removal. Emerging wireless alternatives are attractive, but requirements for skin adhesives remain. Here, we present a materials strategy enabling wirelessly triggered reductions in adhesive strength to eliminate the possibility for injury during removal. The materials involve silicone composites loaded with crystallizable oils with melting temperatures close to, but above, surface body temperature. This solid/liquid phase transition occurs upon heating, reducing the adhesion at the skin interface by more than 75%. Experimental and computational studies reveal insights into effects of oil mixed randomly and patterned deterministically into the composite. Demonstrations in skin-integrated sensors that include wirelessly controlled heating and adhesion reduction illustrate the broad utility of these ideas in clinical-grade health monitoring.