A research team from the Hangzhou Institute of Technology at Xidian University, led by Professor Bao Hong and Associate Professor Zhou Yunlei, has made a significant breakthrough in the fabrication of heterogeneous fiber-based electronic devices. The team introduced a scalable continuous liquid-phase processing method, which seamlessly integrates multiple functional materials onto a single fiber with a diameter of only 50 micrometers—thinner than a human hair. This flexible, weavable fiber can be incorporated into clothing to monitor heart rate or implanted in the body to regulate nerves, offering a multifunctional platform for signal transmission, sensing, and energy transfer.

By employing the continuous liquid-phase processing technique, the team successfully deposited a liquid metal conductive layer and a biosensing functional layer onto the fiber surface. This approach not only imbues the fiber with diverse functionalities but also enables large-scale, continuous production, with a single preparation length reaching up to 50 meters. The platform has already proven its feasibility in peripheral nerve regulation and holds promise for advancing cutting-edge fields in bioelectronic medicine, such as brain-computer interfaces, spinal cord stimulation, and wearable health monitoring. Additionally, it exhibits vast potential for applications in emerging areas like intelligent soft systems.