Bio-Inspired Multifunctional Smart Textile Surfaces for Continuous Chronic Wound Monitoring

Abstract

The management of chronic wounds is a significant global healthcare challenge, hampered by a lack of continuous, real-time monitoring. This research addresses this gap by developing a novel, multifunctional smart textile based on an integrated biomimetic design framework. The textile synergistically combines three distinct principles from nature: (1) the robust, dry adhesion of the gecko's foot, (2) the self-cleaning superhydrophobicity of the lotus leaf, and (3) the structural color-based sensing of the butterfly wing. We fabricated a multi-layer material featuring a gecko-inspired micropillar adhesive layer, a central electrospun mat with an embedded butterfly-wing-inspired photonic crystal for pH sensing, and an outer lotus-effect protective layer. Comprehensive in vitro characterization demonstrated a peel adhesion force of 3.2 N (1.8x stronger than commercial dressings), a water contact angle of 156°, a 99.5% reduction in bacterial adhesion, and a clear, reversible colorimetric response to pH changes from 5.5 to 8.5 with an R² value of 0.992. This work establishes a holistic design paradigm for creating intelligent medical textiles that can simultaneously adhere securely, repel contaminants, and provide continuous, non-invasive monitoring of wound status, paving the way for more proactive and personalized wound care.