Noise-Tolerant, Stretchable, and Flexible Hydrogel Electrode Outperforms Conventional Sensors for Epidermal Bioelectronics
A research team at Khalifa University has developed a next-generation conductive hydrogel electrode that promises to transform wearable and clinical bioelectronics, delivering superior signal fidelity, comfort, and sustainability compared to traditional electrodes.
The graduate students Nazmi Alsaafeen from the bioelectronics and biosystems on chip (LAB-BBC) group and Ioannis Ziogas alongside their supervisors , Dr. C. Pitsalidis, Dr. Ahsan Khandoker, Dr. Antoun Khawaja and聽 Dr. Anna-Maria Pappa and co-authors have published their study in .
Conventional electrodes suffer from poor skin conformity, gel drying, and motion-induced noise, limiting their reliability for long-term monitoring. The Khalifa University team addressed these challenges by engineering a soft, conductive hydrogel infused with a polymer uniformly mixed into its structure, offering intrinsic stretchability, self-adhesion, and biocompatibility.
Electrochemical tests revealed that the new electrode, called poly-ethylenedioxythiophene polystyrene sulfonate hydrogel Golde (PEDOT:PSS – PPHG), maintains low impedance, high dielectric stability, and a filtering effect that suppresses motion while preserving critical bioelectric signals. In trials with 39 participants, PPHG outperformed conventional electrodes in electrocardiography (ECG), electroencephalography (EEG), and electromyography (EMG), delivering clearer measurements and sharper muscle and ocular signals.
The new method offers Superior Signal Quality with higher signal-to-noise ratios and reduced baseline drift in ECG recordings. It also offers enhanced comfort since 72% of participants preferred PPHG for long-term wear, citing better adhesion and zero skin irritation. Moreover, since it is fabricated via a single-container water-based process, PPHG avoids toxic crosslinker chemicals and supports partial biodegradation, making it eco-friendly and reusable.
The PPHG electrode is poised to transform cardiac monitoring, neuro-diagnostics, and rehabilitation, enabling high-fidelity, multimodal recordings in real-world conditions. Its scalability and cost-efficiency make it ideal for next-generation wearable health devices and clinical monitoring systems.
Dr. Anna-Maria Pappa said: “Our hydrogel electrode bridges the gap between biology and the traditional hard electronics. This innovation opens new doors for next-generation wearable health devices, neuro-diagnostics, and long-term cardiac monitoring.鈥�
PhD student Nazmi Alsaafeen said; 鈥淏y combining softness, conductivity, and noise tolerance, we have created a platform that not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable wearable technologies.鈥�
Clarence Michael
English Editor – Specialist
