Skin-adaptive nanofiber-based adhesive electronics with octopus-like 3D suction cups for enhanced transdermal delivery

Abstract

Abstract Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) systems have evolved, with skin electronics emerging as a technology capable of enabling efficient drug administration. However, conventional skin electronics often rely on rigid materials and expensive fabrication processes, limiting flexibility and skin-adhesion. In this study, we developed cellulose nanofiber (CNFs)-based adhesive electronics by integrating a three-dimensional octopus-inspired architecture (OIA) and a conductive layer. The OIA imprinted on CNFs enhanced adhesion by leveraging the synergistic effect of its adhesive structure and the ability to remain stable even after absorbing active ingredient solutions. Unlike conventional fiber-based TDD platforms, the optimized CNFs-OIA retains its architecture, enabling suction-based adhesion to improve skin attachment. To further enhance the TDD efficiency, we integrated a conductive layer into the CNFs-OIA. This conductive interface generates microcurrents that reduce the electrical resistance of the stratum corneum and facilitates the ionization of active ingredients, thereby improving skin penetration.