Viscoelastic surface electrode arrays to interface with viscoelastic tissues.
Christina M TringidesNicolas VachicourasIrene de LázaroHua WangAlix TrouilletBo Ri SeoAlberto Elosegui-ArtolaFlorian FalleggerYuyoung ShinCinzia CasiraghiKostas KostarelosStephanie P LacourDavid J MooneyPublished in: Nature nanotechnology (2021)
Living tissues are non-linearly elastic materials that exhibit viscoelasticity and plasticity. Man-made, implantable bioelectronic arrays mainly rely on rigid or elastic encapsulation materials and stiff films of ductile metals that can be manipulated with microscopic precision to offer reliable electrical properties. In this study, we have engineered a surface microelectrode array that replaces the traditional encapsulation and conductive components with viscoelastic materials. Our array overcomes previous limitations in matching the stiffness and relaxation behaviour of soft biological tissues by using hydrogels as the outer layers. We have introduced a hydrogel-based conductor made from an ionically conductive alginate matrix enhanced with carbon nanomaterials, which provide electrical percolation even at low loading fractions. Our combination of conducting and insulating viscoelastic materials, with top-down manufacturing, allows for the fabrication of electrode arrays compatible with standard electrophysiology platforms. Our arrays intimately conform to the convoluted surface of the heart or brain cortex and offer promising bioengineering applications for recording and stimulation.
Keyphrases
- high density
- tissue engineering
- atomic force microscopy
- gene expression
- drug delivery
- heart failure
- high throughput
- wound healing
- functional connectivity
- high resolution
- single molecule
- carbon nanotubes
- hyaluronic acid
- reduced graphene oxide
- resting state
- risk assessment
- high speed
- atrial fibrillation
- climate change
- blood brain barrier
- mass spectrometry
- multiple sclerosis
- heavy metals
- human health
- brain injury
- health risk
- low cost
- ionic liquid
- solar cells