Soft wearable electronics for underwater applications are of interest, but depend on the development of a waterproof, long-term sustainable power source. In this work, we report a bionic stretchable nanogenerator for underwater energy harvesting that mimics the structure of ion channels on the cytomembrane of electrocyte in an electric eel. Combining the effects of triboelectrification caused by flowing liquid and principles of electrostatic induction, the bionic stretchable nanogenerator can harvest mechanical energy from human motion underwater and output an open-circuit voltage over 10 V. Underwater applications of a bionic stretchable nanogenerator have also been demonstrated, such as human body multi-position motion monitoring and an undersea rescue system. The advantages of excellent flexibility, stretchability, outstanding tensile fatigue resistance (over 50,000 times) and underwater performance make the bionic stretchable nanogenerator a promising sustainable power source for the soft wearable electronics used underwater.

Bioinspired sensor system leads the development of new generation sensor technology with remarkable features like ultra‐sensitivity, low‐power consumption and self‐adaptability. With the help of bioinspired sensor systems, human perception can be quantified and machines can be endowed with specific perception. As an emerging technology, bioinspired sensor system has been widely used in various fields such as industrial, medical, food safety, military and robotic. This review summarizes the recent process of bioinspired sensor system. First, three bionic strategies are defined as bionic materials, bionic structures, and functional bionic according to the sources of bionic inspiration. Second, bioinspired sensor systems with different working mechanisms are summarized and classified into piezoresistive, capacitive, triboelectric, piezoelectric, and other types. Afterward, for applications, the representative works of bioinspired sensor system for health care and human‐machine interaction are focused and introduced, respectively. Finally, the current challenges and prospects of bioinspired sensor system are also discussed. image

Respiratory sensing provides a simple, non-invasive, and efficient way for medical diagnosis and health monitoring, but it relies on sensors that are conformal, accurate, durable, and sustainable working. Here, a stretchable, multichannel respiratory sensor inspired by the structure of shark gill cleft is reported. The bionic shark gill structure can convert transverse elastic deformation into longitudinal elastic deformation during stretching. Combining the optimized bionic shark gill structure with the piezoelectric and the triboelectric effect, the bionic shark gill respiratory sensor (BSG-RS) can produce a graded electrical response to different tensile strains. Based on this feature, BSG-RS can simultaneously monitor the breathing rate and breathing depth of the human body accurately, and realize the effective recognition of the different human body's breathing state under the supporting software. With good stretchability, wearability, accuracy, and long-term stability (50,000 cycles), BSG-RS is expected to be applied as self-powered smart wearables for mobile medical diagnostic analysis in the future.

The practice of auscultation, interpreting body sounds to assess organ health, has greatly benefited from technological advancements in sensing and electronics. The advent of portable and wearable acoustic sensing devices marks a significant milestone in telemedicine, home health, and clinical diagnostics. This review summarises the contemporary advancements in acoustic sensing devices, categorized based on varied sensing principles, including capacitive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric mechanisms. Some representative acoustic sensing devices are introduced from the perspective of portability and wearability. Additionally, the characteristics of sound signals from different human organs and practical applications of acoustic sensing devices are exemplified. Challenges and prospective trends in portable and wearable acoustic sensors are also discussed, providing insights into future research directions.

For outdoor workers or explorers who may be exposed to extreme or wild environments for a long time, wearable electronic devices with continuous health monitoring and personal rescue functions in emergencies could play an important role in protecting their lives. However, the limited battery capacity leads to a limited serving time, which cannot ensure normal operation anywhere and at any time. In this work, a self-powered multifunctional bracelet is proposed by integrating a hybrid energy supply module and a coupled pulse monitoring sensor with the inherent structure of the watch. The hybrid energy supply module can harvest rotational kinetic energy and elastic potential energy from the watch strap swinging simultaneously, generating a voltage of 69 V and a current of 87 mA. Meanwhile, with a statically indeterminate structure design and the coupling of triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators, the bracelet enables stable pulse signal monitoring during movement with a strong anti-interference ability. With the assistance of functional electronic components, the pulse signal and position information of the wearer can be transmitted wirelessly in real-time, and the rescue light and illuminating light can be driven directly by flipping the watch strap slightly. The universal compact design, efficient energy conversion, and stable physiological monitoring demonstrate the wide application prospects of the self-powered multifunctional bracelet.

Analytical tools may revolutionize healthcare by enabling accessible, rapid, and decentralized testing. Wearable (bio)sensors, in particular, provide frequent or continuous patient monitoring through non- to minimally invasive measurements. This approach yields unprecedented amounts of health-related information, leading to more informed clinical decision-making and closer patient follow-up. In this mega-review article, we bring together leading researchers in the field to discuss the state of the art in wearable devices for health monitoring. We begin by providing a broad overview of the field through citation network analysis. We then review the application of chemical (bio)sensors in biofluids (e.g., sweat, saliva, tears, interstitial fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid), highlighting the challenges and advantages associated with each. Subsequently, we discuss the construction of wearable devices and their main formats (e.g., smart contact lenses, textiles, mouthguards, watches/wristbands, and implantable systems). Physical sensors are addressed in a dedicated section focusing on the assessment of heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. The role of soft electronics in wearable devices is also examined, as these technologies are essential for enhancing user comfort and sensor reliability, which demands advances in materials science. Furthermore, we present strategies for signal acquisition and transmission, as well as approaches for on-body energy harvesting and device self-powering. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning is then discussed as a means of enhancing analytical performance and managing the large volumes of data generated by wearable devices. Finally, business, regulatory, and ethical considerations are examined. We expect that this review will provide an overview of sensing and biosensing technologies for health-related applications, identify promising research directions, and inspire future developments.