Contorted acene ribbons for stable and ultrasensitive neural probes

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adu2356
• Publication Date: 2025-04-02T20:33:04Z
• Authors: Shayan Louie; Qifeng Jiang; Duncan J. Wisniewski; Si Tong Bao; Honghu Zhang; Kaushik Chivukula; Qiyi Fang; Ashutosh Garudapalli; Scott R. Docherty; Fay Ng; Michael Steigerwald; Yu Zhong; Dion Khodagholy; Colin Nuckolls
• Keywords: Bioelectronics; Conformable matrix; Biocompatibility; Acene; Ribbon

Organic materials that conduct both electrons and ions are integral to implantable bioelectronics because of their conformable nature. There is a dearth these highly sensitive cations, which the majority on surface neurons. This manuscript offers solution using an extended ribbon structure defect-free, providing high electronic mobility along its fused backbone, while edge ribbons promotes ionic conductivity. We incorporated mixed ion/electron conductors into neural probes implanted them in rodent brain where they offer suite useful properties: cation sensitivity, stability over several weeks after implantation, biocompatibility. These represent innovative class biosensors.