Self-powered strain sensing devices with wireless transmission: DIW-printed conductive hydrogel electrodes featuring stretchable and self-healing properties

[Display omitted] •Achieve high-precision DIW printing using conductive hydrogel ink.•Conductive hydrogel electrodes have remarkable stretchability and self-healing capabilities.•Develop a self-powered strain sensing system employing conductive hydrogel electrodes.•Construct a complex internal structure within the electrode.•Remote human motion detection based on hydrogel strain sensors. With rapid advancements in health and human–computer interaction, wearable electronic skins (e-skins) designed for application on the human body provide a platform for real-time detection of physiological signals. Wearable strain sensors, integral functional units within e-skins, can be integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) technology to broaden the applications for human body monitoring. A significant challenge lies in the reliance of most existing wearable strain sensors on rigid external power supplies, limiting their practical flexibility. In this study, we present an innovative strategy to fabricate glutaraldehyde (GA)-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)/Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) conductive hydrogels through multiple hydrogen bonding systems. Combining the advantageous rheological properties of the precursor solution and the high specific surface area after freeze–thaw cycling, we have created a self-powered sensing system prepared by large-area printing using direct ink writing (DIW) printing. The resulting conductive hydrogel exhibits commendable mechanical properties (411 KPa), impressive stretchability (580 %), and robust self-healing capabilities (>98.3 %). The strain sensor, derived from the conductive hydrogel, demonstrates a gauge factor (GF) of 2.5 within a stretching range of 0–580 %. Additionally, the resultant supercapacitor displays a peak energy density of 0.131 mWh/cm3 at a power density of 3.6 mW/cm3. Benefiting from its elevated strain response and remarkable power density features, this self-powered strain sensing system enables the real-time monitoring of human joint motion. The incorporation of a 5G transmission module enhances its capabilities for remote data monitoring, thereby contributing to the progress of wireless tracking technologies for self-powered electronic skin.