These devices could be the future of bioelectronics. They herald such applications as sensors that adhere directly onto biological tissues, cells or organs to monitor their signals.

How to manufacture electronic devices on flexible and stretchable substrates is one of the scientific challenges that Professor Cicoira and his team are trying to solve. To that end, doctoral student Shiming Zhang is devoting his project to developing a photolithography-based process to create patterns on conductive polymer film on flexible and stretchable substrates. For this, he uses biocompatible materials and is aiming at an environmentally friendly process. The devices he produces maintain their stability after being immersed in water for several months, which makes them compatible with biological tissues.

“This kind of project will enable us to create electronic systems that can adapt eventually to the movements of the human body,” says Professor Cicoira.

To conduct this work, the researcher is developing partnerships with biologists and medical doctors, as well as with manufacturers of biomedical equipment and advanced materials.

Article by the group headed by Professor Cicoira that appeared in Journal of Materials Chemistry C