South Korean researchers have developed a revolutionary skin patch that maintains strong adhesion during vigorous physical movement while being easily removable without irritation. (Image courtesy of UNIST)
ULSAN, Nov. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean researchers have developed a revolutionary skin patch that maintains strong adhesion during vigorous physical movement while being easily removable without irritation, potentially changing the future of wearable medical devices.
The breakthrough, announced on November 18 by the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), comes from a collaborative effort led by mechanical engineering professor Jeong Hoon-eui, electrical engineering professor Kim Jae Joon, and researchers from the National Institute of Ecology’s New Technology Team.
The innovation, dubbed the motion-adaptive tessellation patch, draws inspiration from two unlikely sources in nature: barnacles and armadillos. The researchers engineered a shape-memory polymer mimicking barnacles’ adhesive proteins, arranged in a pattern resembling the armor structure of armadillos.
“Traditional wearable devices are vulnerable to deformation and repetitive stress from movement, often causing skin irritation and discomfort during prolonged wear,” Jeong explained. “Our research has developed an innovative adhesive technology that addresses all these challenges.”
The patch’s design cleverly utilizes the natural adhesion mechanism of barnacles. These marine creatures secrete proteins that change rigidity, allowing them to conform to rough rock surfaces.
The artificial version works similarly: the soft adhesive first conforms to skin texture before firming up for secure attachment. Temperature adjustments enable easy, irritation-free removal and reapplication.
The armadillo-inspired aspect of the design provides flexibility and elasticity through a tessellation structure. Like the mammal’s armor, which features hard bone pieces connected by soft collagen, the patch combines shape-memory polymer segments with elastic polymers to maximize adhesion while maintaining flexibility.
In tests, electronic devices made with the new patch maintained adhesion during vigorous activities like running and climbing stairs while continuously monitoring the wearer’s heart rate and blood pressure.
“This technology overcomes the limitations of existing solutions that restrict movement, opening new possibilities for wearable devices that can be used on various body parts,” said PKim, who added that the team is preparing for technology transfer and startup opportunities.
The research, supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the National Institute of Ecology, was published online in the journal Advanced Materials on October 20.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
