A High-Conductivity and Adhesive Ionogel Strain Sensor for Monitoring Stimulus-Response Behavior of Aquatic Organism

Ionogels have emerged as versatile materials with potential applications in flexible electronics and soft robotics. However, preparing high-performance ionogels with high conductivity and good mechanical strength remains challenging. Here, we report the development of a novel supramolecular ionogel as a wearable device for monitoring the stimulus-response behavior of aquatic animals. The integration of silver nanowires (AgNWs) endows the ionogel with good electrical conductivity (0.56 S m^{− 1}) and mechanical robustness (strain tolerance › 1400%). The ionic liquid (IL) makes the AgIL ionogel exhibit superior adhesion properties (84.6 kPa) across diverse substrates, including biological tissues (e.g., pig skin). Furthermore, this wearable electronic exhibit an ultra-low detection limit (0.5%). The wearable electronics device consists of flexible AgIL ionogels as the sensing material, a microcontroller, a signal processing circuit, and a Bluetooth transceiver. Its electrical responsiveness and stable cyclic performance highlight its potential for wearable applications. This device can clearly and continuously monitor the regular or various stimuli-induced movements of the gills, tail, and body of aquatic animals such as the Chinese sturgeon and bullfrog. Comparative studies with traditional rigid ionogels and hydrogels underscore the significant enhancements in flexibility, adhesion, and conductivity by our design. This work provides a pathway for engineering multifunctional gels tailored for next generation soft electronic interfaces and broadens strain sensors' application range.