Electromagnetic fields affect a variety of tissues (e.g. bone, muscle, nerve and skin) and play important roles in a multitude of biological processes. This has inspired the development of electrically conducting devices for biomedical applications, several examples of which have been clinically translated, including: cardiac pacemakers, bionic eyes, bionic ears and electrodes for deep brain stimulation. The MFBBN project aimed to use multiphoton fabrication to print electrically conducting polymer-based materials with nanoscale features that would enable the electrical stimulation of individual nerves, which may be used to treat a variety
of debilitating chronic diseases.
Project Objectives
- Preparation of conducting polymer-based materials using multiphoton fabrication on hard and soft/flexible substrates.
- Characterisation of the physicochemical and electrical properties of the materials.
- Validation of the efficacy of the bioelectronic devices to interact with brain tissue ex vivo in collaboration with Frances Edwards at UCL Neuroscience.
Key Achievements
The project achieved its aims and objectives by
- printing conducting polymers on hard substrates and soft/flexible substrates, with micron- and nano- scale features and protruding contact points for a power source and biological tissue
- demonstrated the biological utility of the structures by recording a physiological response to electrical stimulation of the brain tissue
“Together this academic-industry partnership has the mutual objective of advancing clinical opportunities in medical technology, advancement of scientific endeavor through publications, and providing security for intellectual property for the purpose of securing a path to commercialisation.”
Dr Daniel Chew, Director
Neuromodulation
Translational Sciences,
Galvani Bioelectronics
Other Pathfinders
SIMLIFT – Towards single micron LIFT technology
ITAPPE – Interconnection Technologies for integration of Active devices with Printed Plastic Electronics
IQ-PET – In-line Quality-control of UV offset lithographically Printed Electronic-ink by THz technology
LAFLEXEL – Laser Annealing for improved FLEXible Electronics
Stable Nanowires – Spray coated nanowires: enhanced stability for touch sensing and solar cell applications
FlexEn – Flexible Printed Energy Storage
OPCAP – Offset lithographic printing of nanocomposite barium titanate capacitors
pNeuron – Printed Electronics for Neuromorphic Computing