Enhancing Grasping Function with a Thermoresponsive Ionogel Adhesive Glove for Patients with Rheumatic Diseases

Abstract Rheumatic diseases often result in joint deformities and peripheral nerve damage, leading to impaired hand function. Current wearable assistive gloves commonly rely on external forces to flex fingers for grasping, but they face limitations such as bulky hardware, complex finger manipulation...

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Main Authors: Shiqiang Wang, Shiqing Liu, Jingfeng Zhang, Zhouyang Yu, Yifan Shao, Cong Zhao, Jiahong Ma, Xin Fu, Mengqi Yang, Lie Chen, Mingjie Liu, Li Wen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Advanced Science
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202414761
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author Shiqiang Wang
Shiqing Liu
Jingfeng Zhang
Zhouyang Yu
Yifan Shao
Cong Zhao
Jiahong Ma
Xin Fu
Mengqi Yang
Lie Chen
Mingjie Liu
Li Wen
author_facet Shiqiang Wang
Shiqing Liu
Jingfeng Zhang
Zhouyang Yu
Yifan Shao
Cong Zhao
Jiahong Ma
Xin Fu
Mengqi Yang
Lie Chen
Mingjie Liu
Li Wen
author_sort Shiqiang Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Rheumatic diseases often result in joint deformities and peripheral nerve damage, leading to impaired hand function. Current wearable assistive gloves commonly rely on external forces to flex fingers for grasping, but they face limitations such as bulky hardware, complex finger manipulation, and a risk of joint injuries. This study presents a lightweight, portable, soft wearable adhesive glove based on thermoresponsive ionogels aimed at enhancing grasping function. The ionogel exhibits high adhesion (≈35 kPa to various materials) at 25 °C and low adhesion (≈6.8 kPa) at 45 °C. Smart adhesive pads use embedded flexible heaters and temperature sensors for closed‐loop control of the ionogels’ temperature, providing programmable adhesion. A rapid switch from high to low adhesion is achieved within 4 s at 4 V. Additionally, a hands‐free control interface uses inertial measurement units to detect the user's intent to release, facilitating easy and intuitive detachment. Weighing only 47 g, the glove is 7.2 times lighter than existing assistive gloves. Notably, it empowers users to grasp and release a variety of objects that will otherwise be unmanageable. Evaluation of various activities of daily living demonstrates that the glove significantly enhances grasping ability and increases autonomy for patients with rheumatic diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-c0e40fa8459f4295b65112d61cb7b2732025-08-20T03:04:57ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-07-011226n/an/a10.1002/advs.202414761Enhancing Grasping Function with a Thermoresponsive Ionogel Adhesive Glove for Patients with Rheumatic DiseasesShiqiang Wang0Shiqing Liu1Jingfeng Zhang2Zhouyang Yu3Yifan Shao4Cong Zhao5Jiahong Ma6Xin Fu7Mengqi Yang8Lie Chen9Mingjie Liu10Li Wen11School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Beihang University Beijing 100191 ChinaSino‐French Carbon Neutrality Research Center Ecole Centrale de Pekin/School of General Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 ChinaDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology Peking University Third Hospital Beijing 100191 ChinaSino‐French Carbon Neutrality Research Center Ecole Centrale de Pekin/School of General Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 ChinaSino‐French Carbon Neutrality Research Center Ecole Centrale de Pekin/School of General Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 ChinaKey Laboratory of Bio‐Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Chemistry Beihang University Beijing 100191 ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Beihang University Beijing 100191 ChinaKey Laboratory of Bio‐Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Chemistry Beihang University Beijing 100191 ChinaSchool of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering Beihang University Beijing 100191 ChinaDepartment of Applied Chemistry College of Science China Agricultural University Beijing 100193 ChinaKey Laboratory of Bio‐Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Chemistry Beihang University Beijing 100191 ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Beihang University Beijing 100191 ChinaAbstract Rheumatic diseases often result in joint deformities and peripheral nerve damage, leading to impaired hand function. Current wearable assistive gloves commonly rely on external forces to flex fingers for grasping, but they face limitations such as bulky hardware, complex finger manipulation, and a risk of joint injuries. This study presents a lightweight, portable, soft wearable adhesive glove based on thermoresponsive ionogels aimed at enhancing grasping function. The ionogel exhibits high adhesion (≈35 kPa to various materials) at 25 °C and low adhesion (≈6.8 kPa) at 45 °C. Smart adhesive pads use embedded flexible heaters and temperature sensors for closed‐loop control of the ionogels’ temperature, providing programmable adhesion. A rapid switch from high to low adhesion is achieved within 4 s at 4 V. Additionally, a hands‐free control interface uses inertial measurement units to detect the user's intent to release, facilitating easy and intuitive detachment. Weighing only 47 g, the glove is 7.2 times lighter than existing assistive gloves. Notably, it empowers users to grasp and release a variety of objects that will otherwise be unmanageable. Evaluation of various activities of daily living demonstrates that the glove significantly enhances grasping ability and increases autonomy for patients with rheumatic diseases.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202414761hand exoskeletonmedical roboticssoft roboticsswitchable adhesionwearable robotics
spellingShingle Shiqiang Wang
Shiqing Liu
Jingfeng Zhang
Zhouyang Yu
Yifan Shao
Cong Zhao
Jiahong Ma
Xin Fu
Mengqi Yang
Lie Chen
Mingjie Liu
Li Wen
Enhancing Grasping Function with a Thermoresponsive Ionogel Adhesive Glove for Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
Advanced Science
hand exoskeleton
medical robotics
soft robotics
switchable adhesion
wearable robotics
title Enhancing Grasping Function with a Thermoresponsive Ionogel Adhesive Glove for Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
title_full Enhancing Grasping Function with a Thermoresponsive Ionogel Adhesive Glove for Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
title_fullStr Enhancing Grasping Function with a Thermoresponsive Ionogel Adhesive Glove for Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing Grasping Function with a Thermoresponsive Ionogel Adhesive Glove for Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
title_short Enhancing Grasping Function with a Thermoresponsive Ionogel Adhesive Glove for Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
title_sort enhancing grasping function with a thermoresponsive ionogel adhesive glove for patients with rheumatic diseases
topic hand exoskeleton
medical robotics
soft robotics
switchable adhesion
wearable robotics
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202414761
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