In today’s era of rapid technological development, flexible electronics technology is revolutionizing people’s living and working styles in an unprecedented manner. As a crucial member among flexible electronic materials, conductive rubber, with its unique electrical conductivity and elasticity, has emerged prominently in fields such as triboelectric nanogenerators, wearable sensors, and brain-computer interfaces, becoming a core force driving the progress of related technologies.

I.Application of Conductive Rubber in Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) are new energy conversion devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy based on the principles of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction. Conductive rubber plays a vital role in this process.

(1) Working Principle and Advantages
Conductive rubber has excellent elasticity and flexibility, and can deform under mechanical actions such as external pressure, stretching, and bending. It is also prone to charge transfer when rubbed with other materials. When conductive rubber comes into contact and rubs with different materials in the triboelectric series, positive and negative charges separate on its surface. Subsequently, due to electrostatic induction, charge flow occurs in the external circuit connected to the conductive rubber, thus realizing the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy. Compared with traditional rigid materials, the flexibility of conductive rubber enables it to better adapt to complex motion environments, improve energy harvesting efficiency, and at the same time, it can closely adhere to the human body or flexible devices, expanding the application scenarios of triboelectric nanogenerators.

(2) Practical Application Scenarios
In the field of wearable energy, triboelectric nanogenerators based on conductive rubber can be integrated into wearable devices such as clothes, gloves, and shoes. For example, when people walk or exercise, the friction between clothes and the skin, shoes and the ground, as well as movements such as limb swinging can all be converted into electrical energy through the conductive rubber triboelectric nanogenerator, powering wearable devices such as smart bracelets and Bluetooth headphones to achieve a self-powered wearable system. In the field of the Internet of Things (IoT), conductive rubber triboelectric nanogenerators can be installed on doors, windows, pipes, and other parts, using mechanical energy such as slight vibrations and airflows in the environment for power generation, providing energy for sensor nodes, reducing dependence on batteries, and enabling long-term stable operation.

II.Application of Conductive Rubber in Wearable Sensors
Wearable sensors are designed to monitor physiological parameters, movement states, and other information of the human body in real time. Conductive rubber has become an ideal material for constructing high-performance wearable sensors due to its excellent properties.

(1) Sensing Mechanism and Characteristics
The resistance of conductive rubber changes with deformation (such as stretching, compression, and bending) under external force, and this piezoresistive effect is the basis for its sensing function. When conductive rubber is subjected to external force, the internal conductive network structure changes, leading to changes in the electron transmission path and thus changes in the resistance value. By measuring the change in resistance, the magnitude, direction, and mode of action of the external force can be sensed. In addition, conductive rubber has good biocompatibility, breathability, and comfort, and can come into contact with human skin for a long time without causing allergies or discomfort, making it suitable for making wearable physiological sensors.

(2) Application Examples
In the aspect of health monitoring, wearable sensors based on conductive rubber can be made into patches and attached to the surface of human skin to monitor physiological signals such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. For example, a strain sensor made of conductive rubber can be attached to the chest. As the chest rises and falls during breathing, the resistance of the sensor changes. Through circuit conversion and signal processing, real-time respiratory rate data can be obtained. In the field of sports monitoring, conductive rubber sensors can be integrated into sports protective gear and clothing to monitor the movement state information of athletes, such as joint angles and muscle contractions, helping athletes optimize their movement postures, prevent sports injuries, and at the same time providing data support for coaches and researchers for sports training analysis and rehabilitation treatment research.

III. Application of Conductive Rubber in the Field of Flexible Electronics for Brain-Computer Interfaces
Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are a technology that establishes a direct communication and control channel between the brain and external devices. Conductive rubber provides new possibilities for the development of flexible electronic devices for brain-computer interfaces.

(1) Adaptability and Advantages
The complex curved surface structure and soft tissue characteristics of the brain require that the connected electronic devices have good flexibility and conformability. Conductive rubber can well meet these requirements. Its soft texture can closely adhere to the surface of the brain, reducing pressure and damage to brain tissue. At the same time, conductive rubber has excellent electrical properties and can stably transmit nerve electrical signals, providing a reliable guarantee for signal interaction between the brain and external devices. In addition, conductive rubber has strong processability and can be made into electrode arrays of various shapes and sizes according to the application requirements of different brain-computer interfaces to achieve accurate signal collection and stimulation of specific brain regions.

(2) Research Progress and Application Prospects
Currently, researchers are exploring the use of conductive rubber to make flexible brain-computer interface electrodes for the monitoring and treatment of neurological diseases such as epilepsy. By implanting conductive rubber electrodes into the cerebral cortex, abnormal electrical activities of the brains of epilepsy patients can be monitored in real time, providing accurate data for doctors’ diagnosis and treatment. In the future, with the continuous progress of technology, brain-computer interfaces based on conductive rubber are expected to achieve more efficient and safer human-machine interaction. For example, they can help paralyzed patients control prosthetics to move through brain signals, or achieve more natural virtual reality and augmented reality interaction experiences, opening a new era of human-machine integration.

In conclusion, conductive rubber, with its unique physical and electrical properties, has shown broad application prospects in fields such as triboelectric nanogenerators, wearable sensors, and flexible electronics for brain-computer interfaces. However, at present, these applications still face some technical challenges, such as improving the stability of conductive rubber and optimizing the performance and reliability of devices. With the cross-integration and innovative development of multiple disciplines such as materials science and electronic technology, conductive rubber is bound to play a greater role in the field of flexible electronics, bringing more innovative achievements and life changes to human society.