Skin-adaptive Nanofiber-based Adhesive Electronics with Octopus-like 3D Suction cups for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery

Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) systems have evolved, with skin electronics emerging as an advanced technology capable of enabling controlled and efficient drug administration. However, conventional skin electronics often rely on rigid materials and expensive fabrication processes, limiting flexibility, adhesion, and long-term usability. To overcome these challenges, nanofiber-based adhesive electronics have gained attention as a promising alternative, offering high flexibility, a large surface area for drug loading, and controlled release mechanisms. In this study, we developed cellulose nanofiber (CNFs)-based adhesive electronics by integrating a three-dimensional (3D) octopus-inspired architecture (OIA) and a conductive layer. The OIA imprinted on CNFs enhanced adhesion by leveraging the synergistic effect of its adhesive structure and the ability to remain stable even after absorbing high-viscosity active ingredient solutions. Unlike conventional fiber-based TDD flatforms, which lose structural integrity upon liquid absorption, the optimized CNFs-OIA retains its architecture, enabling suction-based adhesion to improve skin attachment. To further enhance the transdermal delivery efficiency, we integrated a conductive layer of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the CNFs-OIA. This conductive interface generates microcurrents that reduce the electrical resistance of the stratum corneum and facilitate the ionization of active ingredients, thereby improving skin penetration. These findings suggest that structural optimization and material integration, combined with microcurrent-assisted transdermal delivery, can extend the applications of nanofiber-based systems beyond cosmetics, with potential implications for pharmaceutical and advanced transdermal drug delivery.