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- Flexible 2D and 3D conductive hydrogel platforms for wearable applicationsPublication . Aguiar, Leonor; Pereira, Raquel; Sharma, Sanjiv; Martins, GabrielaHydrogels have risen as exceptionally promising support materials in the development of novel wearable electronic devices. Their remarkable biocompatibility coupled with customizable mechanical features make these biomaterials ideal choices for applications involving direct contact with biological tissues. In this study, a simple and straightforward manufacturing process using bio-sourced polysaccharide chitosan (Chi) was employed for the fabrication of flexible and transparent biopolymeric membranes. Subsequently, this two-dimensional (2D) platform was made conductive, through a one-step process, by utilizing an optimized ratio of chitosan, lactic acid, and silver nanowires (Chi-LaA-AgNWs) dispersion. These electrodes were produced by screen printing technique. Furthermore, a solvent casting technique employing inverse polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds was used to fabricate mechanically stable chitosan microneedles (Chi-MNs). These three dimensional (3D) structures were enriched with a carbon-based ink during the casting of concentrated Chi hydrogels into the mold while utilizing centrifugal forces. The electrochemical properties of the fabricated 2D and 3D conductive platforms were evaluated through cyclic voltammetry (CV). Along this study, the water swelling properties of Chi hydrogels were investigated by incorporating natural crosslinkers and plasticizing compounds like citric acid, glycerol, and sorbitol. Optimization of fabrication, physico-chemical and morphological analysis of the membranes and MNs were also performed. Ultimately, the use of Chi combined with environmentally friendly agents enabled the fabrication of flexible conductive platforms holding good stability, uniformity, and desirable electrical attributes.