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Anchored liquid metal brings lab-grade respiratory mechanics home

Qianrui Zhou, Zhen You, Feifei Lin, Shuang Qian, Huaizhi Qin and Weiwei Zhao

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 Corresponding author: Weiwei Zhao, iamwwzhao@njupt.edu.cn

DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/26080004CSTR: 32376.14.1674-4926.26080004

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[1]
Oh J, Kim S, Yim Y, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of chronic respiratory diseases and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990-2023: a Global Burden of Disease study. Nat Med 2026, 32: 197
[2]
Berry R B, Quan S F, Abreu A R, et al. The AASM manual for the scoring of sleep and associated events: rules, terminology and technical specifications. Version 2.6. Darien, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2020.
[3]
Vicente B A, Sebastião R, Sencadas V. Wearable devices for respiratory monitoring. Adv Funct Mater, 2024, 34(45): 2404348 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202404348
[4]
Amjadi M, Kyung K U, Park I, et al. Stretchable, skin-mountable, and wearable strain sensors and their potential applications: A review. Adv Funct Mater, 2016, 26(11): 1678 doi: 10.1002/adfm.201504755
[5]
Zhao S Q, Liu D P, Yan F. Wearable resistive-type stretchable strain sensors: Materials and applications. Adv Mater, 2025, 37(5): 2413929 doi: 10.1002/adma.202413929
[6]
Dickey M D. Stretchable and soft electronics using liquid metals. Adv Mater, 2017, 29(27): 1606425 doi: 10.1002/adma.201606425
[7]
Wang Y R, Xie Y B. Interfacial interaction-induced super-wettability of gallium-based liquid metals: A review. J Mater Chem A, 2024, 12(13): 7396 doi: 10.1039/D3TA07297E
[8]
Guan Z X, Jiang Y C, Zhou Y K, et al. Liquid metal-based electrodes for flexible electronics. Rare Met, 2025, 44(10): 6897 doi: 10.1007/s12598-025-03466-w
[9]
Zhuang Q N, Yao K M, Wu M G, et al. Wafer-patterned, permeable, and stretchable liquid metal microelectrodes for implantable bioelectronics with chronic biocompatibility. Sci Adv, 2023, 9(22): eadg8602 doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adg8602
[10]
Sun X D, An J Y, Sun Y Q, et al. Liquid–metal microgrid stretchable electronics based on bionic leaf veins with ultra-stretchability and high conductivity. Rare Met, 2024, 43(6): 2747 doi: 10.1007/s12598-024-02636-6
[11]
Li Y, Lin Y-C, He A W, et al. Intermetallic-anchored epidermal EGaIn patch with analog constriction gates for cardiorespiratory monitoring. Sci Adv, 2026, 12(26): eaee5907 doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aee5907
[12]
Yao B, Lü X Z, Wang Y W, et al. Ultrasensitive, highly stable, and stretchable strain sensor using gated liquid metal channel. Adv Funct Mater, 2024, 34(28): 2314298 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202314298
[13]
Yao B, Zhu Y X, Jin F D, et al. Stretchable strain sensors based on liquid metal channels with simultaneous significant improvements in linearity and sensitivity. Adv Funct Mater, 2026, 36(12): e17648 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202517648
[14]
Luo Y L, Fan H, Lai X J, et al. Flexible liquid metal-based microfluidic strain sensors with fractal-designed microchannels for monitoring human motion and physiological signals. Biosens Bioelectron, 2024, 246: 115905 doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115905
[15]
Xue F H, Peng Q Y, Ding R J, et al. Ultra-sensitive, highly linear, and hysteresis-free strain sensors enabled by gradient stiffness sliding strategy. npj Flex Electron, 2024, 8: 14 doi: 10.1038/s41528-024-00301-7
[16]
Zhai K K, Wang H, Ding Q L, et al. High-performance strain sensors based on organohydrogel microsphere film for wearable human–computer interfacing. Adv Sci, 2023, 10(6): 2205632 doi: 10.1002/advs.202205632
[17]
Lee J, Kim T, Kim H, et al. Ultrasensitive ultrasoft buckled crack-based sensor for respiration measurement and enhanced human–machine interface. Adv Intell Syst, 2025, 7(7): 2400624 doi: 10.1002/aisy.202400624
[18]
Wang W Y, Yao D J, Wang H, et al. A breathable, stretchable, and self-calibrated multimodal electronic skin based on hydrogel microstructures for wireless wearables. Adv Funct Mater, 2024, 34(32): 2316339 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202316339
[19]
Du D R, Zhang G Y, Xu D, et al. Prevalence and clinical characteristics of sleep disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med, 2023, 112: 282 doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.10.034
[20]
Dang T B, Nguyen C C, Heo S Y, et al. Wearable, broadband auscultation patch with cantilever pressure transducer for remote healthcare monitoring. Nat Commun, 2026, 17: 4918 doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-73636-6
[21]
Botonis O K, Mendley J, Aalla S, et al. Feasibility of snapshot testing using wearable sensors to detect cardiorespiratory illness (COVID infection in India). npj Digit Med, 2024, 7: 289 doi: 10.1038/s41746-024-01287-2
[22]
Woehrle H, Viniol C, Galetke W, et al. Clinical validation of respiratory outcomes for a patch-based polysomnography system. ERJ Open Res, 2026, 12(3): 00857 doi: 10.1183/23120541.00857-2025
Fig. 1.  (Color online) Design rationale and physiological validation of a hardware-encoded cardiorespiratory interface. (a) Clinical burden of three chronic respiratory diseases and the target material properties of a home-worn patch. (b) AgNW-mediated Ag-In intermetallic anchoring of EGaIn to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). (c) Graded hemispherical bulges serving as progressive constriction gates for a smooth resistance increase under strain. (d) Large-depth strain-insensitive ECG and small-depth gated strain-sensitive respiratory channels. (e) Representative segment of an overnight home sleep-apnea recording obtained with HELP, including snore, airflow, oxygen saturation, posture, acceleration, and heart rate, compared with polysomnography. (f) Chest and abdominal breathing waveforms and pulse oximetry from wakefulness to REM sleep in a participant with COPD. Panels reproduced from ref. [11]. Copyright © 2026, The American Association for the Advancement of Science.

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Table 1.   Comparison of strain-sensing performance between HELP and representative advanced strain sensors.

Strain sensorDetection limit (%)Linearity (R2)Hysteresis (%)Cycle StabilityRange (%)Ref
HELP0.010.998<0.4 (30%)500,000700[11]
Liquid-metal channel strain sensorNR0.996NR>10000>120[13]
Fractal-microchannel liquid-metal strain sensor0.1NR0.86NR490.3[14]
Gradient-stiffness sliding strain sensor0.0030.9997NR2000 (40%)50[15]
Organohydrogel microsphere-film strain sensor0.05NRNR2100 (60%)100[16]
Buckled crack-based respiration sensorNRNR210000100[17]
Self-calibrated hydrogel electronic skin0.030.990NRNR100[18]
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Table 2.   System-level comparison of recent high-level cardiorespiratory monitoring systems.

SystemSystem compositionDetection modalitiesRepresentative performanceClinical validationRef
HELPChest/abdominal LM patches; ECG, inertial measurement unit (IMU), storage, battery, SpO2 ringChest-abdominal effort, ECG, heart rate (HR)/heart-rate variability (HRV), SpO2, postureDetection limit 0.01%; R2 = 0.998; hysteresis <0.4%; >500,000 cycles; 200 HzPSG pilot; AHI difference 0.5 events h–1; agreement 89.8%; κ = 0.78[11]
AusculPatchWireless flexible acoustic patch; 3.2 g; 4.5 mWRespiration, heart sounds, seismocardiography (SCG), pulse waves, Korotkoff soundsBandwidth 0.2 Hz–>10 kHz; respiration at 12.6 and 25.5 bpm detectedHealthy volunteers; no PSG/OSA validation[20]
ANNE OneChest patch plus finger sensor; FDA-cleared platformECG, HR, respiratory rate, motion, skin temperature, photoplethysmography (PPG), SpO2ECG 512 Hz; PPG 128 Hz; chest acceleration up to 1600 Hz; accuracy varies by parameter2024 COVID snapshot study; no OSA-specific PSG validation in this study[21]
Onera STSSelf-applied wireless type II PSG patches; head, chest, abdomen, and leg sensorsElectroencephalography (EEG), electrooculography (EOG), electromyography (EMG), ECG, SpO2, airflow, respiratory effort, snoring, posture, activityMultichannel PSG acquisitionMulticentre PSG study, n = 206; AHI correlation r = 0.90; AUC ≥ 0.80 for AHI thresholds of 5, 15, and 30 events h–1[22]
DownLoad: CSV
[1]
Oh J, Kim S, Yim Y, et al. Global, regional, and national burden of chronic respiratory diseases and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990-2023: a Global Burden of Disease study. Nat Med 2026, 32: 197
[2]
Berry R B, Quan S F, Abreu A R, et al. The AASM manual for the scoring of sleep and associated events: rules, terminology and technical specifications. Version 2.6. Darien, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2020.
[3]
Vicente B A, Sebastião R, Sencadas V. Wearable devices for respiratory monitoring. Adv Funct Mater, 2024, 34(45): 2404348 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202404348
[4]
Amjadi M, Kyung K U, Park I, et al. Stretchable, skin-mountable, and wearable strain sensors and their potential applications: A review. Adv Funct Mater, 2016, 26(11): 1678 doi: 10.1002/adfm.201504755
[5]
Zhao S Q, Liu D P, Yan F. Wearable resistive-type stretchable strain sensors: Materials and applications. Adv Mater, 2025, 37(5): 2413929 doi: 10.1002/adma.202413929
[6]
Dickey M D. Stretchable and soft electronics using liquid metals. Adv Mater, 2017, 29(27): 1606425 doi: 10.1002/adma.201606425
[7]
Wang Y R, Xie Y B. Interfacial interaction-induced super-wettability of gallium-based liquid metals: A review. J Mater Chem A, 2024, 12(13): 7396 doi: 10.1039/D3TA07297E
[8]
Guan Z X, Jiang Y C, Zhou Y K, et al. Liquid metal-based electrodes for flexible electronics. Rare Met, 2025, 44(10): 6897 doi: 10.1007/s12598-025-03466-w
[9]
Zhuang Q N, Yao K M, Wu M G, et al. Wafer-patterned, permeable, and stretchable liquid metal microelectrodes for implantable bioelectronics with chronic biocompatibility. Sci Adv, 2023, 9(22): eadg8602 doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adg8602
[10]
Sun X D, An J Y, Sun Y Q, et al. Liquid–metal microgrid stretchable electronics based on bionic leaf veins with ultra-stretchability and high conductivity. Rare Met, 2024, 43(6): 2747 doi: 10.1007/s12598-024-02636-6
[11]
Li Y, Lin Y-C, He A W, et al. Intermetallic-anchored epidermal EGaIn patch with analog constriction gates for cardiorespiratory monitoring. Sci Adv, 2026, 12(26): eaee5907 doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aee5907
[12]
Yao B, Lü X Z, Wang Y W, et al. Ultrasensitive, highly stable, and stretchable strain sensor using gated liquid metal channel. Adv Funct Mater, 2024, 34(28): 2314298 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202314298
[13]
Yao B, Zhu Y X, Jin F D, et al. Stretchable strain sensors based on liquid metal channels with simultaneous significant improvements in linearity and sensitivity. Adv Funct Mater, 2026, 36(12): e17648 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202517648
[14]
Luo Y L, Fan H, Lai X J, et al. Flexible liquid metal-based microfluidic strain sensors with fractal-designed microchannels for monitoring human motion and physiological signals. Biosens Bioelectron, 2024, 246: 115905 doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115905
[15]
Xue F H, Peng Q Y, Ding R J, et al. Ultra-sensitive, highly linear, and hysteresis-free strain sensors enabled by gradient stiffness sliding strategy. npj Flex Electron, 2024, 8: 14 doi: 10.1038/s41528-024-00301-7
[16]
Zhai K K, Wang H, Ding Q L, et al. High-performance strain sensors based on organohydrogel microsphere film for wearable human–computer interfacing. Adv Sci, 2023, 10(6): 2205632 doi: 10.1002/advs.202205632
[17]
Lee J, Kim T, Kim H, et al. Ultrasensitive ultrasoft buckled crack-based sensor for respiration measurement and enhanced human–machine interface. Adv Intell Syst, 2025, 7(7): 2400624 doi: 10.1002/aisy.202400624
[18]
Wang W Y, Yao D J, Wang H, et al. A breathable, stretchable, and self-calibrated multimodal electronic skin based on hydrogel microstructures for wireless wearables. Adv Funct Mater, 2024, 34(32): 2316339 doi: 10.1002/adfm.202316339
[19]
Du D R, Zhang G Y, Xu D, et al. Prevalence and clinical characteristics of sleep disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med, 2023, 112: 282 doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2023.10.034
[20]
Dang T B, Nguyen C C, Heo S Y, et al. Wearable, broadband auscultation patch with cantilever pressure transducer for remote healthcare monitoring. Nat Commun, 2026, 17: 4918 doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-73636-6
[21]
Botonis O K, Mendley J, Aalla S, et al. Feasibility of snapshot testing using wearable sensors to detect cardiorespiratory illness (COVID infection in India). npj Digit Med, 2024, 7: 289 doi: 10.1038/s41746-024-01287-2
[22]
Woehrle H, Viniol C, Galetke W, et al. Clinical validation of respiratory outcomes for a patch-based polysomnography system. ERJ Open Res, 2026, 12(3): 00857 doi: 10.1183/23120541.00857-2025

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    Received: Revised: Online: Accepted Manuscript: 28 September 2026

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      Article Navigation >  Journal of Semiconductors  > 2026  > Accepted Manuscript
      Qianrui Zhou, Zhen You, Feifei Lin, Shuang Qian, Huaizhi Qin, Weiwei Zhao. Anchored liquid metal brings lab-grade respiratory mechanics home[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2026, In Press. doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/26080004 ****Q R Zhou, Z You, F F Lin, S Qian, H Z Qin, and W W Zhao, Anchored liquid metal brings lab-grade respiratory mechanics home[J]. J. Semicond., 2026, accepted doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/26080004
      Citation:
      Qianrui Zhou, Zhen You, Feifei Lin, Shuang Qian, Huaizhi Qin, Weiwei Zhao. Anchored liquid metal brings lab-grade respiratory mechanics home[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2026, In Press. doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/26080004 ****
      Q R Zhou, Z You, F F Lin, S Qian, H Z Qin, and W W Zhao, Anchored liquid metal brings lab-grade respiratory mechanics home[J]. J. Semicond., 2026, accepted doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/26080004
      shu

      Anchored liquid metal brings lab-grade respiratory mechanics home

      DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/26080004
      CSTR: 32376.14.1674-4926.26080004

      • State Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (LoFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuromorphic Electronics, Jiangsu Provincial Industrial Technology Engineering Center for Flexible Mechatronics and Energy Systems, Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China

      More Information
      • Qianrui Zhou is expected to receive the B.S. degree in Polymer Materials and Engineering from Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications, Nanjing, China, in 2028. He is currently an undergraduate student at Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications. His research interests include flexible electronics, wearable sensors, polymer-based functional materials
      • Weiwei Zhao obtained her PhD degree from Tianjin University in 2015. She is now a professor at State Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (LoFE) and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications. Her research mainly focuses on flexible electromagnetic materials for communication electronics
      • Corresponding author: iamwwzhao@njupt.edu.cn
      • Available Online: 2026-09-28

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