Programmable Hydrogel Ionic Circuits for Biologically Matched Electronic Interfaces

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201800598
• Publication Date: 2018-05-02T11:31:17Z
• Authors: Siwei Zhao; Peter Tseng; Jonathan Grasman; Yu Wang; Wenyi Li; Bradley Napier; Burcin Yavuz; Ying Chen; Laurel Howell; Javier Rincon; Fiorenzo G. Omenetto; David L. Kaplan
• Keywords: Flexible Electronics

Abstract The increased need for wearable and implantable medical devices has driven the demand electronics that interface with living systems. Current bioelectronic systems have not fully resolved mismatches between engineered circuits biological systems, including resulting pain damage to tissues. Here, salt/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) aqueous two‐phase are utilized generate programmable hydrogel ionic circuits. High‐conductivity salt‐solution patterns stably encapsulated within PEG matrices using salt/PEG phase separation, which route current high resolution enable localized delivery of electrical stimulation. This strategy allows designer match transparency, stretchability, complete aqueous‐based connective interface, distribution signals avoidance tissue from potential such is demonstrated by generating light‐emitting diode (LED)‐based displays, skin‐mounted electronics, stimulators deliver in vitro neuron cultures muscles vivo reduced adverse effects. Such electronic platforms may form basis future biointegrated