Organic Bioelectronics: From Functional Materials to Next‐Generation Devices and Power Sources

Abstract

Conjugated polymers (CPs) possess a unique set of features setting them apart from other materials. These properties make them ideal when interfacing the biological world electronically. Their mixed electronic and ionic conductivity can be used to detect weak biological signals, deliver charged bioactive molecules, and mechanically or electrically stimulate tissues. CPs can be functionalized with various (bio)chemical moieties and blend with other functional materials, with the aim of modulating biological responses or endow specificity toward analytes of interest. They can absorb photons and generate electronic charges that are then used to stimulate cells or produce fuels. These polymers also have catalytic properties allowing them to harvest ambient energy and, along with their high capacitances, are promising materials for next‐generation power sources integrated with bioelectronic devices. In this perspective, an overview of the key properties of CPs and examination of operational mechanism of electronic devices that leverage these properties for specific applications in bioelectronics is provided. In addition to discussing the chemical structure–functionality relationships of CPs applied at the biological interface, the development of new chemistries and form factors that would bring forth next‐generation sensors, actuators, and their power sources, and, hence, advances in the field of organic bioelectronics is described.

Towards Novel Geneless Approaches for Therapeutic Angiogenesis

“…In the last decade, the scientific community has exploited the use of light to control the activity of different cell types genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels, thus gaining an unprecedented control in terms of selectivity and reversibility ( Knollmann, 2010 ; Deisseroth, 2011 ). An alternative strategy, that obviates the need of viral gene transfer is based on the use of hybrid interfaces between living cells and organic semiconductors (OS), used as artificial light transducers ( Rivnay et al, 2017 ; Di Maria et al, 2018 ; Fang et al, 2020 ; Ohayon and Inal, 2020 ). OS, and thiophene-based materials in particular, have emerged as promising tools for biological application, thanks to a series of key-enabling characteristics: they are soft materials with a high degree of mechanical conformability; they are highly biocompatible and very well tolerated within in vivo conditions; they support both electronic and ionic charge conduction; they are sensitive to visible and near-infrared light; they are easily processed from solution.…”

Bioelectrochemistry and the Singularity Point “I Robot”?**

“…Brain-Machine interfaces, became very interesting platforms for electronic devices that are designed to interface with neurons, synapses and different types of brain cells. [59,60] The purpose of these devices is to restore function to different organs in our body that suffered from neuronal damage whether due to an injury, disease or a physiological condition (Figure 8). Success of these devices is great and reports are increasing for more and more advanced devices that restore close to full activity of vision, [61] hearing, [62] and limbs functionality.…”

Synthesis, characterization, and biological applications of semiconducting polythiophene‐based nanoparticles

“…Furthermore, their good biocompatibility and easy water dispersibility make them very appealing systems for in vivo biological applications. Thanks to the characteristics mentioned above, in the last decade a steadily increasing number of publications concerning PT‐NPs applications as potential light nanotrasducers, that is, interfaces that convert light into a bioelectrical/biochemical signal, have been reported 30–34,87–90 . PT‐NPs may operate as camouflaged biocompatible interfaces—as they are close to the size of biological molecules and made up of biocompatible elements, such as carbon and sulfur—able to localize the signal transduction on their surface, thus eliciting a response in live cells/neurons/animals.…”