The persistent conflict between solid adhesion and liquid management fundamentally limits the reliability of epidermal electronics, as sweat accumulation disrupts interfacial integrity and sensor signal fidelity. This study presents a paradigm-shifting strategy that physically decouples these requirements: a composite membrane patch with bioinspired hierarchical hydration architecture for sweat-immune sensing. Inspired by the adhesive systems of tree frogs and bees and the fluid-handling capabilities of bird beaks and pitcher plants, the architecture employs self-regulating triphase liquid bridges to enhance adhesion. Hierarchical tapered microgrooves generate substantial Laplace pressure (>800 Pa) for directional liquid transport (up to 500 mm/s). This synergistic action maintains a dynamically balanced hydration environment at the skin interface, achieving a water vapor transmission rate 2.7-fold higher than commercial patches. Consequently, it enables continuous monitoring of electrophysiological signals and sweat biomarkers, even during profuse sweating. This design principle offers a generalizable platform for developing robust, high-performance epidermal devices.
Zhao et al. (Tue,) studied this question.