Biomaterial Wearable Sensor Dip Coating for Durable Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wearable sensors based on biomaterials face challenges in durability and cost-effectiveness, lacking the ability to change resistance with temperature or humidity, and require a simple manufacturing method.

Innovation Solution

A method involving dip-coating a thin film substrate with aqueous graphene oxide and silk fibroin solutions, followed by thermal reduction, on an eco-friendly base substrate like wood pulp, to create a wearable sensor with improved mechanical properties and resistance changes based on temperature and humidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If wearable sensors are made based on biomaterials to be bio-friendly and suitable for skin attachment, then biocompatibility is improved, but durability against repeated use and external load deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining biomaterials (silk fibroin, cellulose) with conductive materials (graphene oxide). The biomaterial provides biocompatibility while the graphene oxide network embedded within maintains electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between being bio-friendly and durable under repeated use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin film structures made from biomaterials that can flex with skin movement while maintaining structural integrity. The thin film configuration allows the sensor to adapt to body contours and withstand repeated bending without compromising either biocompatibility or durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Weight of moving object

If wearable sensors are made compact and light to minimize user inconvenience, then portability is improved, but manufacturing precision and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor weightVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using lightweight biomaterials with high strength-to-weight ratios. By optimizing the composition ratios of silk fibroin, cellulose, and graphene oxide, the sensor achieves compact size and low weight while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and manufacturing precision through controlled dip-coating processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If simple manufacturing methods are used to reduce production costs, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but sensor performance and precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsensor performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dip-coating process where the biomaterial and conductive material solutions are applied sequentially through simple immersion steps. The materials self-assemble into the desired composite structure during the coating process, eliminating the need for complex fabrication steps while maintaining sensor performance and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical assembly processes with chemical self-assembly during the dip-coating process. The biomaterial and graphene oxide automatically distribute and bond in the desired configuration through chemical interactions, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring consistent sensor performance without requiring precision mechanical assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If sensors are designed to change resistance according to temperature or humidity for monitoring functions, then sensing capability is improved, but stability under external load deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing capabilityVSAvoidresistance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates local variations in the material structure where graphene oxide clusters are distributed within the biomaterial matrix. These local conductive networks are positioned to respond specifically to temperature and humidity changes while the overall biomaterial matrix maintains mechanical stability and resistance to external loading, allowing sensing capability without compromising structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method enables the production of a bio-friendly wearable sensor with enhanced durability and mechanical properties, suitable for long-term use under external loads, while maintaining low production costs.

Implementation Method 1

a dip coating step of sequentially dip-coating the aqueous graphene oxide solution and the aqueous silk fibroin solution on the base substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDip coating: Coatings

Implementation Method 2

a drying step of drying the base substrate subjected to the dip coating by applying thermal reduction treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal reduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentEP4643770A1Method for manufacturing biomaterial-based wearable sensor
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 CHUNG ANG UNIV IND ACADEMIC COOP FOUND
  • EP4643770A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4643770A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4643770A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a biomaterial-based wearable sensor. The method for manufacturing a biomaterial-based wearable sensor according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a) a first preparation step for preparing a base substrate in the form of a thin film; b) a second preparation step for placing an aqueous solution of graphene oxide and an aqueous silk fibroin solution in separate containers to prepare a material with which to coat the base substrate; c) a dip coating step for sequentially dip coating the base substrate with the graphene oxide aqueous solution and then the silk fibroin aqueous solution; and d) a drying step for drying the dip-coated base substrate by applying heat.