Biodegradable nanogenerators offer a promising route toward self‐powered bio‐integrated systems by converting biomechanical energy into electrical signals while safely degrading after use. Among them, triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators (TENGs and PENGs) are particularly attractive for harvesting low‐frequency physiological motions through soft, flexible, and bioresorbable material systems. This review summarizes recent advances in biodegradable TENGs, PENGs, and hybrid TENG/PENG systems, with a focus on energy‐conversion mechanisms, material selection, device architectures, and integration strategies for wearable and implantable biomedical applications. We further discuss key challenges in performance stability, degradation behavior, biological safety, and system‐level integration, and provide perspectives toward fully transient, self‐powered biomedical platforms.

In nature, biological species have evolved unique mechanisms and sophisticated structures for intelligent radiation-based thermal management and utilization over billions of years through natural selection. These adaptive strategies in biological species serve as a significant source of inspiration for the development of advanced thermal engineering materials and systems in modern society, driving innovation in applications such as building heating and cooling, personal thermal management, water acquisition, and next-generation infrared (IR) sensing systems. In this review, advancements in biological and bio-inspired thermal management strategies, including radiative cooling, thermal regulation, and thermal insulation, are comprehensively summarized. Additionally, recent advancements in radiation-based biological and bio-inspired thermal utilization are discussed, focusing on applications such as water harvesting, IR camouflage, and IR detection. Next, various examples of the integration of IR management strategies with electronic and energy systems are introduced, highlighting their potential to enhance efficiency and functionality in thermal management, energy efficiency, and advanced sensing applications. By leveraging these bio-inspired systems, innovative strategies have emerged, encompassing both thermal management and utilization, and enabling efficient heat regulation and energy harvesting across a wide range of technological applications. Finally, a future perspective on the development of radiation-based bio-inspired thermal management and utilization technologies is provided.

Biodegradable adhesives, unlike their traditional counterparts, are engineered to bond to biological tissues while naturally degraded over time, thereby eliminating the need for removal procedures and reducing the risk of chronic inflammation. These unique features are particularly suitable for temporary biomedical applications such as wound closure, internal sealing, or integration with electronics for active/passive functions. The adhesive performance arises from the strategic combination of biodegradable polymers and adhesion mechanisms that dynamically interact with tissue surfaces. This review introduces recent advancements in biodegradable adhesives through a mechanism‐based framework, focusing on five key adhesion strategies: physical interlocking, hydrogen bonding, catechol chemistry, amine‐carboxyl coupling, and covalent bonding via diazirine or isocyanate linkages. For each strategy, representative material systems, functional properties, and biomedical implementations that enable strong, conformal adhesion under wet and physiological environments are highlighted, and with a discussion of current challenges and future directions toward intelligent, multifunctional bioadhesives for clinical uses are concluded.

The lifespan of the transient electronic system can be determined in advance (i.e., predefined) or controlled via on-demand and programmable approaches using a diverse range of principles. However, in most cases, dissolution or disappearance requires an aqueous solution and is only possible for the entire system, not for specific or targeted components. Here, a soft, stretchable, thermally expandable system is introduced for precise, localized, on-demand deactivation or destruction of electronic systems. The incorporation of thermal expansion particles into a polymer matrix produces soft, resilient composites that generate substantial thermo-mechanical forces at a predefined temperature, enabling the direct collapse of electronic devices. Integration with multichannel microfluidics and wireless systems creates a vanishing, self-destructive optoelectronic system and bio-safe drug delivery vehicle for frequency-based selective release, demonstrating the broad potential of this approach in the fields of defense/security and biomedical devices as well as other envisioned areas.

The discovery of non-toxic, bioresorbable silicon electronics is a major breakthrough in the fields of transient, dissolvable biomedical implants and environmental monitors, as it opens up the possibility of producing versatile components based on established semiconductor processes. However, given the limited lifespan of such electronics, it is essential to consider economical manufacturing and production strategies that reduce the unit price for commercialization. Here, we introduce a solution-processable and photo-patternable approach that is facile, cost-effective, and widely accessible for a monolithic 3D fabrication of soft, stretchable, and transient electronics. Optimized chemical synthesis and rational materials engineering yield biodegradable/biocompatible organic insulators, semiconductors, and conductors that can be layered/assembled in sophisticated configurations without impairing underlying components. Direct solution-casting of the materials enables the fabrication of sensors with various modalities and transistors. In vivo implantation of soft, conformable electrode arrays into the brain and heart of animal models demonstrates spatiotemporal electrophysiological monitoring (electroencephalography and electrocardiography) and therapeutic interventions (epileptic seizure suppression and cardiac pacing), highlighting the broad applicability in diverse bio-integrated electronic systems.

Soft robots have partially or entirely provided versatile opportunities for issues or roles that cannot be addressed by conventional machine robots, although most studies are limited to designs, controls, or physical/mechanical motions. Here, we present a transformable, reconfigurable robotic platform created by the integration of magnetically responsive soft composite matrices with deformable multifunctional electronics. Magnetic compounds engineered to undergo phase transition at a low temperature can readily achieve reversible magnetization and conduct various changes of motions and shapes. Thin and flexible electronic system designed with mechanical dynamics does not interfere with movements of the soft electronic robot, and the performances of wireless circuit, sensors, and devices are independent of a variety of activities, all of which are verified by theoretical studies. Demonstration of navigations and electronic operations in an artificial track highlights the potential of the integrated soft robot for on-demand, environments-responsive movements/metamorphoses, and optoelectrical detection and stimulation. Further improvements to a miniaturized, sophisticated system with material options enable in situ monitoring and treatment in envisioned areas such as biomedical implants.

Biodegradable polymers have been employed as encapsulants for transient, resorbable implantable devices due to moderate water permeability, mechanical flexibility, and biocompatibility, however most of them relatively lack inherent anti-biofouling properties. This limitation can lead to undesired protein adsorption, cell adhesion, and fibrotic encapsulation, compromising device function and biocompatibility, particularly for long-term implantation scenarios. Here, this study introduces a soft, stretchable, and anti-biofouling encapsulant engineered by integrating self-assembled organosilicon nanowire networks onto micropatterned biodegradable elastomers. The resulting hierarchical surface architecture imparts superhydrophobicity while preserving mechanical integrity, improving water barrier performance by up to 420% compared to unmodified films and retaining stability under cyclic strains. Integration into a transient, stretchable optoelectronic device enables prolonged operation in aqueous environments, and in vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrate suppressed cell adhesion, reduced fibrotic tissue formation, and excellent biocompatibility, highlighting the potential for long-lasting, bioresorbable electronic implants.

Chronic wounds affect ~2% of the U.S. population and increase risks of amputation and mortality. Unfortunately, treatments for such wounds are often expensive, complex, and only moderately effective. Electrotherapy represents a cost-effective treatment; however, its reliance on bulky equipment limits its clinical use. Here, we introduce water-powered, electronics-free dressings (WPEDs) that offer a unique solution to this issue. The WPED performs even under harsh conditions—situations wherein many present treatments fail. It uses a flexible, biocompatible magnesium-silver/silver chloride battery and a pair of stimulation electrodes; upon the addition of water, the battery creates a radial electric field. Experiments in diabetic mice confirm the WPED’s ability to accelerate wound closure and promote healing by increasing epidermal thickness, modulating inflammation, and promoting angiogenesis. Across preclinical wound models, the WPED-treated group heals faster than the control with wound closure rates comparable to treatments requiring expensive biologics and/or complex electronics. The results demonstrate the WPED’s potential as an effective and more practical wound treatment dressing.

Rapid technological revolution produces a wide range of convenient tools, while, in particular, the production and consumption of batteries lead to various issues including environmental pollution. Although efforts to solve such problems increase interest in green and dissolvable batteries, their short service life is still recognized as a major obstacle due to limited options of materials. Here, we propose materials and system designs for eco-friendly and biodegradable magnesium alloy-tungsten (AZ31-W) batteries that offer long-term stability with enhanced corrosion resistance. Materials and electrochemical inspections confirm the superior electrochemical tolerance and stable, reliable potentials of the AZ31 anode and W cathode. The assembly of an individual cell into a commercially available pouch battery yields a high capacity of similar to 430 mA h g-1, suitable for high-energy applications. The integration of alginate-based soft, elastic electrolytes with the electrodes enables the achievement of completely eco-resorbable solid-state batteries that maintain performance under diverse physical deformations. The results suggest potential for biomedical and eco-friendly applications where commercial batteries pose risks to the environment or human body.

Unlike conventional rigid counterparts, soft and stretchable electronics forms crack- or defect-free conformal interfaces with biological tissues, enabling precise and reliable interventions in diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. Intrinsically soft and elastic materials, and device designs of innovative configurations and structures leads to the emergence of such features, particularly, the mechanical compliance provides seamless integration into continuous movements and deformations of dynamic organs such as the bladder and heart, without disrupting natural physiological functions. This review introduces the development of soft, implantable electronics tailored for dynamic organs, covering various materials, mechanical design strategies, and representative applications for the bladder and heart, and concludes with insights into future directions toward clinically relevant tools.

Materials that inhibit bacteria and viruses, while ensuring thermal comfort and physical ease, can play a significant role in the realm of protective textiles and equipment for outdoor healthcare activities, particularly in the context of recent global pandemics. Here, we develop radiative cooling and antibacterial composites consisting of stretchable, biodegradable poly(lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) (PLCL) and magnesium oxide (MgO) particles via a scalable solution casting process. Precise control over the size and composition of the particles within the polymer matrix through theoretical and experimental analyses achieves sub-ambient daytime radiative cooling (Delta T, similar to 7 degrees C) under diverse weather conditions. Bactericidal MgO particles through surface treatments realize a remarkable reduction of bacterial cell viability by similar to 100 % in 8 h. The overall results suggest that materials with thermal and infection control capability as well as disposable characteristics have the potential to reduce plastic waste beyond the spread of infection.

Materials that have the ability to manipulate shapes in response to stimuli such as heat, light, humidity and magnetism offer a means for versatile, sophisticated functions in soft robotics or biomedical implants, while such a reactive transformation has certain drawbacks including high operating temperatures, inherent rigidity and biological hazard. Herein, we introduce biodegradable, self-adhesive, shape-transformable poly (L-lactide-co-epsilon-caprolactone) (BSS-PLCL) that can be triggered via thermal stimulation near physiological temperature (similar to 38 degrees C). Chemical inspections confirm the fundamental properties of the synthetic materials in diverse aspects, and study on mechanical and biochemical characteristics validates exceptional stretchability up to 800 % and tunable dissolution behaviors under biological conditions. The integration of the functional polymer with a bioresorbable electronic system highlights potential for a wide range of biomedical applications.

As the demand for power systems, including portable ones, is growing at an ever-faster pace, many studies are approaching to discover innovative materials for current battery technology or replace the existing ones with new systems through mimicking living things or nature. Here, a soft, solid-state power storage system featuring electric eel-inspired artificial electric organs capable of converting the chemical potential of an ionic gradient into electricity is introduced. These organs are constructed through the assembly of low and high ion-concentrated zwitterionic gel films with cation- and anion-selective intermembranes, which generate a rechargeable open-circuit voltage of approximate to 135 mV. Combined use of a chemically synthesized room-temperature ionic liquid and a high-boiling point organic solvent as ion-conducting electrolyte allows electric organs to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -20 and 100 degrees C, while the thin and stretchable constituent layers facilitate mechanical flexibility without compromising electrical performance. Scalable integration of electric organs in series and parallel configurations achieves high levels of voltage and current outputs, and employment of origami folding geometry enables on-demand discharge upon self-registered folding, paving the way for portable, high-voltage energy sources in the fields of wearable electronics and soft robotics. Soft, flexible, solid-state energy storage systems with power generation principles mimicking electric eels are developed. Sequential integration of low- and high-salt zwitterionic gels and cation and anion exchange membranes creates thermally- and mechanically-tolerant artificial electrocytes that generate a rechargeable voltage of 130-140 mV. Demonstration of large-scale arrays and origami-folding strategies validates the possibility of scalable and portable energy storage devices.image

As the regenerative mechanisms of biological organisms, self-healing provides useful functions for soft electronics or associated systems. However, there have been few examples of soft electronics where all components have self-healing properties while also ensuring compatibility between components to achieve multifunctional and resilient bio-integrated electronics. Here, we introduce a stretchable, biodegradable, self-healing conductor constructed by combination of two layers: (i) synthetic self-healing elastomer and (ii) self-healing conductive composite with additives. Abundant dynamic disulfide and hydrogen bonds of the elastomer and conductive composite enable rapid and complete recovery of electrical conductivity (~1000 siemens per centimeter) and stretchability (~500%) in response to repetitive damages, and chemical interactions of interpenetrated polymer chains of these components facilitate robust adhesion strength, even under extreme mechanical stress. System-level demonstration of soft, self-healing electronics with diagnostic/therapeutic functions for the urinary bladder validates the possibility for versatile, practical uses in biomedical research areas.

Effective encapsulation is essential for reliable operation of bio-integrated electronics, particularly those containing dissolvable elements, under humid environments for desired periods of time; however, conventional inorganic or organic encapsulants often suffer from tissue-incompatible mechanical rigidity and insufficient water-barrier performance. Here, a mechanically resilient and efficient encapsulation strategy is proposed that can exceed a functional lifetime of state-of-the-art soft encapsulations by several tens of magnitudes. The exceptional protection arises from the high aspect ratio of dissolvable yet impermeable inorganic fillers embedded within biodegradable polymers, which significantly extend the diffusion length of biofluids or water components. Theoretical modeling and experimental analysis elucidate the effects of types, shapes, and concentrations of the fillers on encapsulation performance, as well as mechanical/physical properties. The operation of electronic components under aqueous solutions for prolonged periods demonstrates the practical feasibility of the encapsulation approach for versatile types of soft, biodegradable electronics. A hybrid composite-based mechanically resilient and extremely efficient encapsulation strategy for soft, biodegradable electronics is developed. Impermeable inorganic fillers, particularly high aspect ratio flakes, embedded within biodegradable polymers significantly slow down water permeation. Theoretical modeling and experimental analysis explore the water-barrier performance, while the extended operation of transient electronic devices with the encapsulation underwater validates the outstanding protective capability. image

Highlights The paper introduces a bioresorbable elastomer, poly(glycolide- co - ε -caprolactone) (PGCL), with remarkable mechanical properties, including high elongation-at-break (< 1300%), resilience, and toughness (75 MJ m −3 ) for soft and transient electronics. Fabrication of conducting polymers with PGCL yields stretchable, conductive composites for transient electronic devices, functioning reliably under external strains. The study demonstrates the feasibility of a disintegrable electronic suture system with on-demand drug delivery for rapid recovery of post-surgical wounds on soft, time-dynamic tissues or versatile biomedical areas of interest.

Abstract Transient electronics, designed to dissolve, disintegrate, or degrade in a controlled manner after fulfilling their functions without remaining biologically and environmentally harmful byproducts, have emerged as a transformative paradigm with promising applications in temporary biomedical devices, eco-friendly electronics, and security applications. The success of this device development relies significantly on an effective encapsulation to protect their degradable active materials from environmental factors, such as biofluids and water, and secure reliable device functions throughout a desired lifespan. This review article provides an overview of recent advances in various encapsulation strategies for developing flexible, transient electronics. Details include materials selection, key characteristics, water-barrier capabilities, degradation mechanisms, and relevant applications, categorized into inorganic materials, synthetic/natural polymers, and hybrid composites. In addition, our insights into existing challenges and key perspectives for enhancing encapsulation performance are shared.