Remotely Controlled in Situ Growth of Silver Microwires Forming Bioelectronic Interfaces

Abstract

There is a pressing need to advance our ability to construct three-dimensional (3D) functional bioelectronic interfaces. Additionally, to ease the transition to building cellular electronic systems, a remote approach to merge electrical components with biology is desirable. By combining 3D digital inkjet printing with bipolar electrochemistry, we remotely control and fabricate conductive wires, forming a first of its kind contactless bionic manufacturing procedure. It enables controlled fabrication of conductive wires in a three-dimensional configuration. Moreover, we demonstrate that this technology could be used to grow and interface conductive conduits in situ with mammalian cells, offering a new strategy to engineering bioelectronic interfaces. This represents a step change in the production of functional complex circuitry and considerably increases the manufacturing capabilities of merging cells with electronics. This approach provides a platform to construct bioelectronics in situ offering a potential paradigm shift in the methods for building bioelectronics with potential applications in biosensing and bioelectronic medicine.

Impedimetric Characterization of Bipolar Nanoelectrodes with Cancer Cells

“…Again, high- and low-impedance electrolytes of water and PBS, respectively, were used. We have previously shown that the short time frame of these experiments (<1 min) using water does not affect cell viability …”

“…We have recently reported on the development of a nanobioelectronic system that was based on using nanobipolar electrodes (nano-BPEs) in the presence of biological cells for the first time . This work was based on a “bipolar electrochemical system” (BES), which consists of bipolar electrodes (BPEs) and an aqueous electrolyte solution. − Upon the application of an external electric field from feeder electrodes (FEs), the BPE becomes polarized.…”

Toward nanobioelectronic medicine: Unlocking new applications using nanotechnology

“…A similar electrochemical approach has been used to generate conductive structures to dictyostelium cells; however, as the approach was not performed wirelessly, and the gap between electrodes was limited to <30 μm, this limits its application in bioelectronics in vivo (Thapa et al, 2009). The use of bipolar electrochemistry to wireless grow conductive structures greatly improves this prospect for in vivo applications; we have recently shown this possible in the presence of CHO cells (Sanjuan‐Alberte, Saleh, et al, 2019). This could have exciting applications in connecting specific cell populations to electronics, as well as for targeting electric field therapies or eliciting an electrochemical reaction.…”

“…AuNP‐based systems are also able to provide novel bioelectronic approaches to sense intracellular electrical changes in response to externally applied electric potentials. Redox state of water soluble AuNPs modified porphyrin groups was modified intracellularly under the application of electrical potentials (Sanjuan‐Alberte et al, 2019). With further optimization, possibly through the use of AC currents, and understanding of how this phenomena performs at the nanoscale, it may be possible to develop tools with the ability to modulate chemistry inside cells under external electric fields (A. Robinson et al, 2020).…”

Impedimetric Characterization of Bipolar Nanoelectrodes with Cancer Cells

“…We have recently reported on the development of a nanobioelectronic system that was based on using nanobipolar electrodes (nano-BPEs) in the presence of biological cells for the first time. 5 This work was based on a "bipolar electrochemical system" (BES), which consists of bipolar electrodes (BPEs) and an aqueous electrolyte solution. 6−9 Upon the application of an external electric field from feeder electrodes (FEs), the BPE becomes polarized.…”