A colleague sent this to me last night and I am blown away! In a groundbreaking study published in Nature, researchers from the University of Oxford have developed a miniaturised soft ionic power source inspired by the electric eel. This innovative device, constructed from nano-litre hydrogel droplets, utilises internal ion gradients to generate energy, enabling precise stimulation of neuronal activity in three-dimensional neural micro-tissues and ex vivo mouse brain slices.
The Technology
The power source consists of lipid-supported hydrogel droplet networks, capable of storing energy and producing an on-demand energy output with a power density of about 1,300 W m−3, 680 times higher than previous designs. The droplets form a continuous hydrogel structure that generates ionic currents to modulate neuronal networks, highlighting the potential for integration into living organisms. The biocompatibility and mechanical flexibility of this device promise significant advancements over traditional bulky batteries used in bio-integrated devices.
Future Impact
The potential applications in bioelectronic medicine are vast. This soft microscale ionotronic device could revolutionise neural interfaces, wearable bioelectronics, and smart implants. Future research aims to optimise the device for in vivo applications, incorporating stimulus-responsive materials for remote-controlled mobility, and boosting overall energy capacity. This innovation could pave the way for next-generation bio-hybrid interfaces, implants, synthetic tissues, and microrobots, offering new avenues for precise control and stimulation of biological tissues.
By integrating this technology into bioelectronic devices, we can anticipate significant advancements in medical treatments, particularly for neurological disorders. The ability to modulate neuronal activity with such precision opens up new possibilities for therapeutic interventions and diagnostic tools.
Read more in the full paper: Nature Article
#Bioelectronics #Neuroscience #Innovation #Healthcare #MedicalDevices #NeuralInterfaces #WearableTech #SmartImplants
Reference:
Zhang, Y., Riexinger, J., Yang, X., Mikhailova, E., Jin, Y., Zhou, L., & Bayley, H. (2023). A microscale soft ionic power source modulates neuronal network activity. Nature, 620, 1001-1006. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06295-y
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