Mechanically Isolating and Self-Monitoring Low-Cost Phononic Connectors for Amorphous Wearable Bioelectronics

Abstract

Wearable bioelectronic systems typically employ uniform flexible interconnects that mechanically couple distributed electrodes, allowing motion at one site to perturb contact pressure and signal quality elsewhere. This work introduces a connector inspired by phononics that reduces force transmission between electrodes while self-monitoring deformation for artifact labeling. By spatially varying the pitch of serpentine interconnects, the connector redistributes strain and mechanically isolates adjacent sensing sites. Embedded strain sensors provide a direct electrical readout of connector deformation and enable identification and timing of motion-induced disturbances at their mechanical origin. Mechanical testing showed reduced effective stiffness (7× lower spring constant), localized strain, and a shifted transmissibility band (1–3 Hz) that decreased force transfer to the electrode, while synchronized strain-gauge signals with electrophysiological recordings aligned with and predicted motion-induced disturbances (p < 0.005). Together, these findings indicate the phononic design influences recording stability while allowing mechanical disturbances to be measured rather than inferred.