Bioinspired, Skin-Like Laser-Induced Graphene Wearables for Continuous Mental Workload Monitoring

Abstract

Wearable sensors are crucial in monitoring physiological responses to mental workload (MWL), offering real-time insights into cognitive and emotional states. Accurate assessment of MWL is essential in fields like aviation, automotive industries, and high-stress work environments where cognitive overload can lead to decreased performance and increased risk of errors. However, existing devices often prioritize performance metrics over user comfort and ergonomics, leading to poor wearability and reduced long-term compliance. This compromises the effectiveness of continuous monitoring, as discomfort can cause users to abandon or misuse the devices. Furthermore, human skin's stretchable and breathable nature presents challenges for integrating electronic architectures into skin-interfaced devices, often resulting in poor sensor-skin contact and signal degradation. Human factors engineering and design-for-wearability principles provide guidelines to address these limitations by engineering devices that are not only functional but also comfortable, adaptable, and unobtrusive. Focusing on the skin-sensor interface can enhance signal quality while maintaining user comfort. We have developed a skin-like laser-induced graphene-based triboelectric sensor through a bioinspired interfacial cross-linking approach in this context. This results in skin-like mechanical properties, breathability, and self-healability, ensuring sustained comfort and durability during prolonged use. Capable of accurately tracking cardiovascular indicators such as heart rate and heart rate variability, this sensor provides a reliable, high-performance, and user-centered solution for monitoring key physiological markers of MWL.