Miniaturized implantable temperature sensors for the long-term monitoring of chronic intestinal inflammation

Nature Biomedical Engineering · 2024 · 69 citations

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Gastroenterology

Technology Roadmap for Flexible Sensors

ACS Nano · 2023 · 1225 citations

• Computer Science
• Computer Science
• Systems engineering

Humans rely increasingly on sensors to address grand challenges and to improve quality of life in the era of digitalization and big data. For ubiquitous sensing, flexible sensors are developed to overcome the limitations of conventional rigid counterparts. Despite rapid advancement in bench-side research over the last decade, the market adoption of flexible sensors remains limited. To ease and to expedite their deployment, here, we identify bottlenecks hindering the maturation of flexible sensors and propose promising solutions. We first analyze challenges in achieving satisfactory sensing performance for real-world applications and then summarize issues in compatible sensor-biology interfaces, followed by brief discussions on powering and connecting sensor networks. Issues en route to commercialization and for sustainable growth of the sector are also analyzed, highlighting environmental concerns and emphasizing nontechnical issues such as business, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Additionally, we look at future intelligent flexible sensors. In proposing a comprehensive roadmap, we hope to steer research efforts towards common goals and to guide coordinated development strategies from disparate communities. Through such collaborative efforts, scientific breakthroughs can be made sooner and capitalized for the betterment of humanity.

High-speed, scanned laser structuring of multi-layered eco/bioresorbable materials for advanced electronic systems

Nature Communications · 2022 · 59 citations

• Computer Science
• Materials science
• Nanotechnology

Physically transient forms of electronics enable unique classes of technologies, ranging from biomedical implants that disappear through processes of bioresorption after serving a clinical need to internet-of-things devices that harmlessly dissolve into the environment following a relevant period of use. Here, we develop a sustainable manufacturing pathway, based on ultrafast pulsed laser ablation, that can support high-volume, cost-effective manipulation of a diverse collection of organic and inorganic materials, each designed to degrade by hydrolysis or enzymatic activity, into patterned, multi-layered architectures with high resolution and accurate overlay registration. The technology can operate in patterning, thinning and/or cutting modes with (ultra)thin eco/bioresorbable materials of different types of semiconductors, dielectrics, and conductors on flexible substrates. Component-level demonstrations span passive and active devices, including diodes and field-effect transistors. Patterning these devices into interconnected layouts yields functional systems, as illustrated in examples that range from wireless implants as monitors of neural and cardiac activity, to thermal probes of microvascular flow, and multi-electrode arrays for biopotential sensing. These advances create important processing options for eco/bioresorbable materials and associated electronic systems, with immediate applicability across nearly all types of bioelectronic studies.

Photocurable bioresorbable adhesives as functional interfaces between flexible bioelectronic devices and soft biological tissues

Nature Materials · 2021 · 232 citations

• Computer Science
• Nanotechnology
• Materials science

Three-dimensional electronic microfliers inspired by wind-dispersed seeds

Nature · 2021 · 226 citations

• Computer Science
• Computer Science
• Aerospace engineering

Biocompatible Light Guide‐Assisted Wearable Devices for Enhanced UV Light Delivery in Deep Skin

Advanced Functional Materials · 2021 · 58 citations

• Materials science
• Biomedical engineering
• Optoelectronics

Abstract Phototherapy represents an attractive route for treating a range of challenging dermatological diseases. Existing skin phototherapy modalities rely on direct UV illumination, although with limited efficacy in addressing disorders of deeper tissue and with requirements for specialized illumination equipment and masks to shield unaffected regions of the skin. This work introduces a skin‐integrated optoelectronic device that incorporates an array of UVA (360 nm) light emitting diodes in layouts that match those of typical lesional plaques and in designs that couple to biocompatible, penetrating polymer microneedle light waveguides to provide optical access to deep skin. Monte Carlo simulations and experimental results in phantom skin suggest that these waveguides significantly enhance light delivery to deep skin, with a >4‐fold increase for depths of >500 µm. In ex vivo human skin, the devices show reduced measures of phototoxicity compared to direct illumination and enhanced modulation of gene expression relevant to sclerosing skin diseases. These systems are also compatible with design principles in soft, skin‐compatible electronics and battery‐powered wireless operation. Collectively, the favorable mechanical and light delivery properties of these devices expand possibilities in targeting of deep skin lesions beyond those attainable with clinical‐standard UV light therapy approaches.

Recent progress, challenges, and opportunities for wearable biochemical sensors for sweat analysis

Sensors and Actuators B Chemical · 2021 · 192 citations

• Computer Science
• Computer Science
• Data science

Miniaturized electromechanical devices for the characterization of the biomechanics of deep tissue

Nature Biomedical Engineering · 2021 · 130 citations

• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Biomedical engineering

Wireless and battery-free technologies for neuroengineering

Nature Biomedical Engineering · 2021 · 339 citations

• Computer Science
• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence

Fully implantable and bioresorbable cardiac pacemakers without leads or batteries

Nature Biotechnology · 2021 · 332 citations

• Medicine
• Cardiology
• Biomedical engineering