Wireless organic electronic ion pumps driven by photovoltaics

Abstract

The organic electronic ion pump (OEIP) is an emerging bioelectronic technology for on-demand and local delivery of pharmacologically active species, especially targeting alkali ions, and neurotransmitters. While electrical control is advantageous for providing precise spatial, temporal, and quantitative delivery, traditionally, it necessitates wiring. This complicates implantation. Herein, we demonstrate integration of an OEIP with a photovoltaic driver on a flexible carrier, which can be addressed by red light within the tissue transparency window. Organic thin-film bilayer photovoltaic pixels are arranged in series and/or vertical tandem to provide the 2.5-4.5 V necessary for operating the high-resistance electrophoretic ion pumps. We demonstrate light-stimulated transport of cations, ranging in size from protons to acetylcholine. The device, laminated on top of the skin, can easily be driven with a red LED emitting through a 1.5-cm-thick finger. The end result of our work is a thin and flexible integrated wireless device platform.npj Flexible Electronics (2019) 3:14 ; https://doi.

Bioinspired Ionic Sensory Systems: The Successor of Electronics

“…In biology, ion pumps drive ion transport by using the energy of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), while the energy to drive artificial ion pumps is diversified, e.g., from light, [ 39,40 ] pH gradients, [ 39,41 ] or electricity. [ 42,43 ] The development of artificial ion pumps is just in its infancy and still far from matching the performance of biological ion pumps, which are not only able to pump one specific ion species, but also to move two types of ions in opposite directions simultaneously (Na + –K + –ATPase). [ 4 ]…”

“…[ 81,82 ] Can we “pump” ion transport against deep concentration gradients as in nature? [ 6,14,42 ] Can we amplify weak ionic signals to realize effective signal processing? [ 38 ] All these questions imply exciting possibilities of ionic sensory systems.…”

Fully Inkjet‐Printed, Ultrathin and Conformable Organic Photovoltaics as Power Source Based on Cross‐Linked PEDOT:PSS Electrodes

“…[5,6] Their potential was featured with the development of solarpowered ultra-flexible electronic devices, for instance, integrated with organic electrochemical transistors for the detection of electrophysiological signals such as cardiac monitoring or combined with an organic electronic ion pump for electrophoretic ion transport. [5,6] Photosensitive materials have also been lately studied for optoelectronic neurostimulation in novel retinal implants and prosthesis. [7][8][9] So far, ultrathin OPV have been fabricated via spin-coating or thermal evaporation techniques which are restricted in terms of geometry, freedom of design and viability.…”

Self‐Powered Drug‐Delivery Systems Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerator

“…According to the different energy sources, they can be divided into three categories: 1) mechanical energy harvester, including triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG), and oscillation generator (OG) [ 4 ] ; 2) biochemical energy harvester, including biofuel cells and endocochlear potential (EP) collector [ 5 ] ; and 3) environment energy harvester, including photovoltaic cell (PVC) and pyroelectric nanogenerators (PYENGs). [ 6 ] Among the aforementioned energy sources, mechanical energy is more abundant and flexible in organisms, such as limb movement, heartbeat, respiration, blood and biofluid flow, and is not limited by the environment and spatial disturbances. As a mechanical‐energy harvester, TENG can convert these biomechanical energy into electricity based on the combination of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction.…”