Lijun Qu

Maintaining a dynamic humidity–thermal balance within the skin–device microclimate is critical for enhancing wearability and minimizing physiological and psychological discomfort. Herein, we present an asymmetric dual-responsive MXene/Viscose-PP (MVP) actuator integrated into a Janus photothermal mask for skin–mask microclimate dynamic humidity–thermal regulation. The MVP actuator switch with asymmetric bending deformation can achieve autonomous on–off switching under temperature and humidity stimulation. The Janus photothermal mask enables unidirectional transport of exhaled breath condensate to the outer hydrophilic layer and enhances evaporation efficiency by 22.5 times. The synergistic integration of the Janus photothermal interface and the MVP actuator switch establishes a closed-loop dynamic humidity–thermal regulation system. The smart switch-based Janus photothermal mask achieves a state of humidity–thermal comfort during prolonged wearing. Such a closed-loop strategy offers a transformative route toward next-generation adaptive personal protective equipment and smart textiles, enabling autonomous human–machine humidity–thermal interaction without external energy consumption.

Real-time monitoring of ascorbic acid (AA) in sweat is critical for evaluating oxidative stress and nutritional status. However, the practical application of current wearable sensors is often compromised by complex matrix interference and interfacial instability during physical activity. To address these challenges, we developed a high-performance wearable colorimetric sensing platform based on copper coordination polymer nanozymes (Cu-CPs). Through systematic screening, the Cu-CPs II system was identified for its superior peroxidase-like activity and stability. The patch enables a sensitive colorimetric transition from brilliant green to white upon AA detection, with a linear range of 0.05–1.3 mM, a limit of detection of 25 μM, and a response time of 15 min. To translate this material into a wearable device, we engineered a trilayer flexible patch with a “substrate-reaction-isolation” sandwich architecture. This design allows the sensor to be activated in situ by sweat, triggering a sensitive colorimetric transition from brilliant green to white upon AA detection, which can be instantly quantified via a smartphone. On-body trials confirmed that the patch exhibits excellent skin conformability and mechanical robustness, enabling precise, dynamic tracking of sweat AA fluctuations before and after exercise. This work presents a universal, cost-effective strategy for constructing highly stable, noninvasive wearable biosensors, holding great promise for personalized health management.

Maintaining a dynamic humidity-thermal balance within the skin-device microclimate is critical for enhancing wearability and minimizing physiological and psychological discomfort. Herein, we present an asymmetric dual-responsive MXene/Viscose-PP (MVP) actuator integrated with Janus photothermal mask for skin-mask microclimate dynamic humidity-thermal regulation. The MVP actuator switch with asymmetric bending deformation can achieve autonomous on-off switching under temperature and humidity stimulation. Janus photothermal mask realizes unidirectional transport of exhaled breath condensate to outer hydrophilic layer, and the excellent photothermal performance of MXene layer enhance the 22.5 times evaporation efficiency. The synergistic integration of Janus photothermal interface and the MVP actuator switch establishes a closed-loop dynamic humidity-thermal regulation system. Specifically, the high humidity triggered by continuous inhalation causes the MVP actuator to deform out-of-plane, and exposing the photothermal layer to moisture evaporation for dynamic humidity regulation. Once humidity balance, localized thermal elevation drives the actuator to recover, thereby shielding the photothermal layer to maintain thermal homeostasis. Smart switch-based Janus photothermal mask achieves a state of complete humidity comfort, and overwhelming thermal comfort during prolonged wearing. Such closed-loop strategy offers a transformative route toward next-generation adaptive personal protective equipment and smart textiles, enabling autonomous human-machine humidity-thermal interaction without external energy consumption.

Developing fibrous strain sensors with integrated high stretchability, durability, and multimodal sensing capability is highly desirable yet challenging for wearable electronics. Herein, we report the fabrication of highly stable and multifunctional polyurethane-based composite fibers (PICFs) via a one-step coaxial wet-spinning method, incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) dispersed in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)]imide ([BMIM]TF₂N) as the conductive core. Crucially, the ionic liquid effectively prevents MWCNT aggregation via cation-π/π-π interactions, enables uniform dispersion of nanotubes and robust interfacial adhesion, while pre-stretching induces structural alignment within the fiber core, forming a dense and reversible conductive network. At an optimal MWCNT loading of 5 wt.%, PICF-5 achieves a balanced combination of extensive sensing range (>800%) and high electrical conductivity (~18 S/m) and outstanding cyclic stability, maintaining reliable performance over 10,000 stretch-release cycles at 110% strain (3,000 cycles at 150% strain) without signal degradation. This stability is ahead of the existing reports on PU-based strain sensors. The fiber exhibits a high gauge factor (up to 682.8 at high strain) and rapid response/recovery (90% conductivity after 50 washes), and remarkable low-temperature resistance (-20℃, validated over one month). Applications in wire and monitoring diverse human motions and potential uses in gesture and gait motion recognition are demonstrated. This work provides an effective strategy for fabricating high-performance fibrous sensors for advanced wearable applications.

The rapid advancement of smart wearable textile biosensors has elevated demands for functional materials, particularly regarding their mechanical and electrical properties, environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. Herein, we present a novel bio-based poly(lactic acid diol) (PLA-diol)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanoconductive fluid (PC-NCF). By utilization of PLA-diol as the dispersion medium, this fluid not only reduces the environmental impact of conventional solvent-based systems but also enhances the uniformity and stability of the conductive network. The PC-NCF exhibits liquid-metal-like self-healing capabilities, exceptional ductility, plasticity, and low-temperature processability. To further advance applications, a stretchable conductive fiber (PPCF) was fabricated via coaxial wet spinning featuring a core-shell architecture: the PC-NCF core is encapsulated by a PLA-diol-based polyurethane (PLAU) shell. Incorporating PLA-diol as a soft segment in PLAU improves the degradability and environmental compatibility while regulating the microphase separation between soft and hard segments, thereby enhancing flexibility and resilience. The PPCF's unique design, enabled by self-healing interfaces and dynamic stress transfer, ensures continuous electrical conductivity (3 S/m at 200% strain) and robust cyclic stability (8000 cycles at 100% strain), achieving a balance between mechanical performance and conductivity. Notably, the gauge factor (GF) reaches 10.62 in the 200-300% strain range. Additionally, the PPCF demonstrates rare attributes, including cryogenic adaptability (-10 °C) and closed-loop recyclability. In dynamic physiological signal monitoring, the fiber adheres conformally to the skin, enabling real-time capture of both large and subtle electrophysiological changes. These results highlight the PPCF's potential as a high-performance flexible bioelectronic sensor for next-generation wearable textiles.

The dual challenge of continuous glucose monitoring and treating chronic, infected wounds in diabetes demands innovative materials with integrated diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. Herein, engineered through biomimetic coencapsulation of glucose oxidase (GOx) and a bimetallic metal-organic framework (MOF), MOF-919 within ZIF-8, this study reports a programmable nanozyme composite─GMZ. MOF-919's spatially resolved Fe/Cu active sites enable microenvironment-adaptive catalysis: Fe nodes drive peroxidase (POD)-like ^•OH generation for antibacterial action, while Cu centers switch to antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD)/catalase (CAT)-like functions at physiological pH, with density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirming Fe-mediated electronic optimization reduces ROS-scavenging energy barriers. The ZIF-8 matrix enhances GOx stability and confinement-accelerated cascade kinetics, enabling a wearable sweat glucose patch and a nanofiber dressing that eradicates bacteria via glucose oxidation producing H₂O₂ and resolves oxidative stress to remodel chronic wounds. This work presents a singular nanozyme platform that seamlessly bridges noninvasive biosensing and intelligent tissue regeneration, offering a powerful and unified strategy for the comprehensive management of diabetes.

Smart wearable fibers and textiles: status and prospects.

Recent respiratory outbreaks have accelerated the innovation of face masks from simple protective supplies to functional and integrated wearable sensors that providing valuable insights into personal health management and real-time environmental monitoring. Herein, we integrate a Janus photothermal comfortable face mask as a wearable sensor for environmental pollutant monitoring. A hydrophobic-hydrophilic micropatterned Janus polylactic acid (PLA) membrane realizes unidirectional transport of exhaled breath condensate from the inner hydrophobic layer to the outer hydrophilic micropatterns. The exhalation and photothermal materials synergistically promote the continuous evaporation of moisture in the micropatterns to ensure a comfortable relative humidity of about 30% of the face mask. Benefiting from the enrichment of targets on the face mask by continuous breathing, we successfully achieved the sensitive and selective detection of environmental pollutants, including hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde, in the hydrophilic micropatterns. Such a photothermal sensory face mask, with its advantages of being comfortable, wearable, and noninvasive, has wide application prospects in personal health management and real-time environmental monitoring.

Although materials with infrared camouflage capabilities are increasingly being produced, few applications exist in clothing fabrics. Here, graphene/MXene-modified fabric with superior infrared camouflage, Joule heating, and electromagnetic shielding capabilities all in one was prepared by simply scraping a graphene slurry onto alkali-treated cotton fabrics, followed by spraying MXene. The functionality of the modified fabrics after different treatment times was then tested and analyzed. The results indicate that the mid-infrared emissivity of the modified fabric decreases with an increase in the coating times of graphene and MXene. When the graphene/MXene-modified fabrics are prepared at loads of 5 and 1.2 mg/cm², respectively, the modified fabrics have very low infrared emissivity in the 3–5 and 8–14 μm bands, and the surface temperature can be reduced by 53.1 °C when placed on a heater with a temperature of 100 °C (surface radiation temperature of 95 °C). The modified fabric also demonstrates excellent Joule heating capabilities; at 4 V of power, a temperature of 91.7 °C may be reached in 30 s. In addition, customized materials exhibit strong electromagnetic shielding performance. By simply folding the cloth, the electromagnetic interference shield effect can be increased to 64.3 dB. With their superior infrared camouflage, thermal management, and electromagnetic shielding performance, graphene/MXene-modified fabrics have found extensive use in intelligent wearables and military applications.