Adhesion Mechanics of Bio-Electronics Interface

本课题的研究目的是利用接触力学方法测量和模拟聚合物或金属涂层聚合物与生物组织之间的天然界面粘附。生物集成电子学是一类超薄、超软、可拉伸的电子学，它可以与生物组织的柔软、曲线和动力学表面整合在一起，用于传感、治疗和通信。生物组织和电子元件之间的一致和牢固的结合可以直接通过这种内在的粘合剂相互作用获得，而无需求助于中间粘合剂或导电凝胶。该研究将通过实验和分析/数值模拟相结合，开创与生物组织相关的接触力学方法。我们建议开发一种定制的组织粘性测试仪，能够进行位移控制、接触载荷测量和接触区域的原位监测。实验数据将与接触力学模型结合使用，以确定粘附和牵引-分离关系的工作，作为各种生物-非生物接触对之间粘附相互作用的连续表示。将考虑速率依赖性、组织粗糙度和生物流体的影响。本研究表征的电子材料与生物组织之间的天然粘附相互作用将成为预测界面可靠性和指导生物集成电路机械结构合理设计的关键参数。建议的研究成果将被纳入新的研究生水平，全校范围内的多学科课程。德克萨斯州的人口统计数据表明，德州大学奥斯汀分校的本科生中有相当多的西班牙裔代表（在科克雷尔工程学院约占17%），我们成功地鼓励他们参加我们的本科生拓展计划。PI是UT奥斯汀女性工程项目（WEP）的委员会成员，并致力于为代表性不足的本科生和K-12学生提供指导。

The research objective of this proposal is to measure and model the native interfacial adhesion between polymers or metal coated polymers and bio-tissues using a contact mechanics approach. Bio-integrated electronics are a class of ultra-thin, ultra-soft, stretchable electronics which can conformably integrate with the soft, curvilinear and kinetic surfaces of bio-tissues for sensing, treatment, and communication. Conformable and robust binding between bio-tissues and electronics components can be obtained directly by such intrinsic adhesive interactions without recourse to intermediate adhesives or conductive gels. The proposed research will initiate a contact mechanics approach pertinent to bio-tissues through a combination of experiments and analytical/numerical modeling. We propose to develop a custom tissue tack tester capable of displacement control, measurement of contact load, and in situ monitoring of the contact area. Experimental data will be used in conjunction with contact mechanics models to determine the work of adhesion and traction-separation relations as the continuum representation of the adhesive interactions between various biotic-abiotic contact pairs. The effects of rate-dependence, tissue roughness, and bio-fluids will be considered.Native adhesive interactions between electronic materials and bio-tissues as characterized by this research will be the key parameter in predicting interface reliability and in guiding the rational design of the mechanical structure of bio-integrated circuits. Outcomes from the proposed research will be assimilated into a new graduate level, school-wide, multidisciplinary course. Texas demographics are such that the undergraduate body at UT-Austin has a significant Hispanic representation (~17% in the Cockrell School of Engineering), who we have successfully encouraged to participate in our undergraduate outreach programs. The PI is a committee member of the UT Austin Women in Engineering Programs (WEP) and has dedicated herself as a mentor for underrepresented undergraduate and K-12 students.