Patent Application and Strategic Collaboration Advance Market Readiness for Transformative Solution in Wearable Electronics
A team of researchers from Khalifa University presented 鈥楪olde鈥�, the prototype of a sustainable hydrogel electrode, at the Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity program, an international initiative, which aims to support academic innovations.听
The Khalifa University prototype, with a pending patent application, was one of the top 100 projects shortlisted out of more than 2,700 applications submitted for the 2024 program from global universities. The was selected for its transformative solution in wearable electronics.听
Made from natural biopolymers, the hydrogel wearable electrode is a skin-friendly alternative to traditional metal electrodes, offering enhanced comfort and performance. This stretchable and transparent material can function as either an adhesive interface or a standalone sensor. The research was in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, a top 8% journal.
The research team includes Nazmi Alsaafeen, inventor and PhD researcher, faculty advisor Dr. Anna-Maria Pappa, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology, and co-advisors Dr. Charalampos Pitsalidis, Assistant Professor, Physics, and Dr. Ahsan Habib Khandoker, Professor, Biomedical Engineering & Biotechnology. The project also gained momentum through collaboration with Khawajah MedTech, a German company after the successful presentation of the hydrogel prototype at Arab Health 2024.
The prototype is currently at a stage where it has been tested in both the lab and in realistic situations with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4-5. The team aims to advance to a more advanced stage, where it will be ready for actual use in the market as they aim to reach TRL 7 within the next two years. The research has received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for human volunteer studies, marking a significant step towards validating the hydrogel鈥檚 effectiveness in real-world applications.
Dr. Anna-Maria Pappa said: 鈥淐urrent solutions often lead to irritation during extended use and compromised data collection, especially during movement, and the 鈥楪olde鈥� hydrogel addresses key issues in wearable technology, particularly the discomfort and signal quality associated with rigid metal electrodes. By integrating conducting polymers with skin-mimicking materials, this new hydrogel offers a solution that enhances both sensitivity and user experience while leaving no ecological footprint.鈥�
Ongoing work includes refining the hydrogel鈥檚 performance and processability through advanced 3D printing techniques, as well as integrating sensor components to broaden its application for on-body sensing. With its potential to transform the landscape of wearable electronics, this eco-friendly hydrogel represents a significant leap towards sustainable health technology.
Alisha Roy听
Science Writer
