Aerogel-Like Bioinspired Multiscale Hierarchies Enable Self-Powered Sensing and Physiological Comfort for Biodegradable Nanofiber Meta-Membranes.

Nanofiber membrane-based flexible sensing devices are appealing for advanced multi-protective equipment. Here, inspired by the fluid-regulating grooved topology of whale baleen, we unravel an electro-induced multiphase separation spinning (EMSS) approach to engender ultralight aerogel-like bioinspired poly(lactic acid) (AB-PLA) nanofiber meta-membranes. Driven by engineered thermodynamic instability, distinct axial micro-grooves are created at AB-PLA nanofibers that assemble into a highly porous network (over 97% porosity). This unique architecture is ready to trigger robust output performance (66.37 V, 93.12 nA), conferring the self-powered real-time respiratory monitoring and 100% accuracy for the deep learning-assisted breathing pattern recognition. It is further accompanied by excellent PM-capturing mechanisms, achieving 99.1% removal of PM0.3 at a physiological resting rate (10 L min-1) with an ultralow pressure drop of 20.5 Pa and a high quality factor of 0.22 Pa-1. Moreover, the ultralight high-porosity architecture endows the AB-PLA meta-membranes with exceptional moisture permeability of 7875 g m-2 d-1 and air permeability of 166 mm s-1, providing superior physiological comfort. This sheds light into a promising paradigm for development of next-generation flexible protective sensors.