IIT Roorkee Develops Battery-Free Smart Bandage for Faster Wound Healing
IIT Roorkee researchers have developed a battery-free electronic bandage that converts body movement into electrical stimulation to support faster wound healing.
Researchers at IIT Roorkee and the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, have developed a battery-free electronic bandage that uses body movement to generate electrical stimulation aimed at accelerating wound healing.
Called 3D-MIDAS, the flexible dressing converts mechanical movement into electrical signals as it stretches with the body. It does not require batteries, wires or an external power source, making it potentially useful for healthcare settings where conventional power sources may be difficult to access.
The bandage combines thin fibres with an ion-conducting material and features a porous structure that allows airflow and helps manage wound fluid. Its flexible scaffold can stretch to nearly eight times its original length, allowing it to adapt to body movement.
Laboratory tests showed around three times greater cell growth and 2.5 times greater cell movement compared with control conditions. In experiments involving rats, wounds treated with the dressing achieved approximately 90–95 per cent closure within 13–15 days, alongside improvements in blood-vessel formation, tissue structure and collagen development.
The device also maintained stable performance during 500 stretching cycles and showed consistent output during longer-term testing over three months.
Researchers said the technology could have potential applications in remote healthcare and emergency situations. However, human clinical trials are still required before the smart bandage can be considered for routine medical use.
