Issue

Vol. 18 (2026)

A Highly Permeable and Three-Dimensional Integrated Electronic System for Wearable Human–Robot Interaction

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01974-z
Wenqiang Wang
Key Laboratory for Micro‑Nano Physics and Technology of Hunan Province, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan Institute of Optoelectronic Integration, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China
Zebang Luo
Key Laboratory for Micro‑Nano Physics and Technology of Hunan Province, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan Institute of Optoelectronic Integration, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China
Xingge Yu
Key Laboratory for Micro‑Nano Physics and Technology of Hunan Province, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan Institute of Optoelectronic Integration, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China
Xiaojia Yin
Key Laboratory for Micro‑Nano Physics and Technology of Hunan Province, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan Institute of Optoelectronic Integration, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China
Li Xiang
Key Laboratory for Micro‑Nano Physics and Technology of Hunan Province, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan Institute of Optoelectronic Integration, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China
Anlian Pan
Key Laboratory for Micro‑Nano Physics and Technology of Hunan Province, State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan Institute of Optoelectronic Integration, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China

Corresponding Author: Anlian Pan

anlian.pan@hnu.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 128

Abstract

Permeable electronics promise improved physiological comfort, but remain constrained by limited functional integration and poor mechanical robustness. Here, we report a three-dimensional (3D) permeable electronic system that overcomes these challenges by combining electrospun SEBS nanofiber mats, high-resolution liquid metal conductors patterned via thermal imprinting (50 μm), and a strain isolators (SIL) that protects vertical interconnects (VIAs) from stress concentration. This architecture achieves ultrahigh air permeability (> 5.09 mL cm−2 min−1), exceptional stretchability (750% fracture strain), and reliable conductivity maintained through more than 32,500 strain cycles. Leveraging these advances, we have integrated multilayer circuits, strain sensors, and a three-axis accelerometer to achieve a fully integrated, stretchable, permeable wireless real-time gesture recognition glove. The system enables accurate sign language interpretation (98%) and seamless robotic hand control, demonstrating its potential for assistive technologies. By uniting comfort, durability, and high-density integration, this work establishes a versatile platform for next-generation wearable electronics and interactive human–robot interfaces.


Highlights:
1 Breathable and Stretchable 3D Electronics Electrospun SEBS nanofiber mats combined with sub-50 μm liquid metal patterning yield ultrahigh permeability (5.09 mL cm−2 min−1, 2520 g m−2 day−1) and mechanical robustness (750% strain), ensuring zero skin irritation after 1 week.
2 Stable Vertical Interconnects Strain isolators (SIL) decouple substrate deformation from vertical interconnects, maintaining conductivity under 750% strain and >32,500 cycles, surpassing conventional multilayer systems (<250% strain).
3 Gesture Recognition Assistive Glove A wireless glove integrating 5 strain sensors, a three-axis accelerometer, and CNN-based learning (98% accuracy) enables real-time robotic hand control, with direct relevance to rehabilitation, prosthetics, and human–robot collaboration.

Keywords

Permeable electronics Stretchable electronics Multilayer electronic system Gesture recognition Vertical interconnect access (VIA)
Wang, Wenqiang, Zebang Luo, Xingge Yu, Xiaojia Yin, Li Xiang, and Anlian Pan. 2026. “A Highly Permeable and Three-Dimensional Integrated Electronic System for Wearable Human–Robot Interaction”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (January):128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01974-z.
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