Researchers from Sweden have developed a process to produce electrodes in the form of conductive polymers directly on biological tissue. Instead of dangerous solvents or high-energy lasers, only visible light is used.
New research from Sweden suggests that light can be used to form electrodes from conductive plastic. Thanks to the use of non-toxic materials, it can be used on almost all surfaces. It should even be possible to produce electrodes in the form of conductive polymers directly on human skin.
Study author Professor Xenofon Strakosas emphasizes that the approach makes it possible to produce electronic components without complicated equipment. The researchers have been working for some time on solutions made of conductive plastic – so-called conjugated polymers – which have the same conductivity as metal.
Electrodes on the skin: Non-toxic polymers as a base
Typically, polymers are made up of long hydrocarbon chains, with each repeating unit called a monomer. In a process called polymerization, multiple monomers combine to form a polymer.
So far, this process has relied on toxic substances. This massively restricted its use in sensitive areas such as medicine. The researchers therefore developed an approach that makes this process possible only under visible light.
The basis is formed by special water-soluble monomers that were created in the laboratory. In practice, the liquid with the monomers is applied to any surface – such as glass or human skin. A laser or a standard household LED lamp then paints the classic conductor tracks onto the fabric.
Intelligent textiles and information highways on the skin
Remains can then simply be wiped away. All that remains are the freshly printed conductor tracks. In one experiment, the researchers printed such electrodes on mice. Compared to classic EEG electrodes, the printed pathways showed a clear picture of brain activity.
In the future, the approach could enable information highways on the skin or even clothes to flexibly exchange information. The researchers hope to sustainably improve the security of devices and systems in the long term.
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