Ultrasoft and Highly Stretchable Electronics for Better Healthcare

超柔软且高度可拉伸的电子产品可改善医疗保健

• 批准号: RGPIN-2022-05039
• 负责人: Liu, Xinyu
• 金额: $ 4.66万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=759669
• 关键词: Ultrasoft; Highly; Stretchable; Electronics; Better

Wearable electronics with ultralow softness and high stretchability allow their seamless integration with living biological systems and deliver unique functionalities such as multimodal sensing and stimulation. For wearable and implantable applications, ideal electronic devices should be designed to match the mechanical properties of our skin/tissues and accommodate the stress/strain induced by body motions. In addition, multimodal sensing capability should be integrated on the same substrate to realize multifunctional systems. The overarching goal of this research program is to develop new types of ultrasoft and highly stretchable electronics for wearable physical/biosensing and implantable neural interfaces. Leveraging our leading expertise in stretchable sensors and electronics, we aim to explore the novel bioelectronic use of two ultrasoft and stretchable materials, double-network ionic hydrogel and bottlebrush elastomer (BBE), for developing integrated wearable devices with multimodal sensation. Specific short-term goals are: Aim 1: To design novel ionic hydrogel-based physical/biosensors for on-body measurement of mechanical strain, temperature, humidity, pH, and electrolytes. Aim 2: To develop an ionic hydrogel-based skin wound dressing capable of healing monitoring and on-demand antibiotic delivery; and to develop a hydrogel-based wearable device for rehabilitation condition monitoring. Aim 3: To develop a new strategy for synthesis of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based, ultrasoft conductive BBEs; and to fabricate a conductive BBE-based neural electrode array for in-vivo brain signal recording. My group has performed original research on hydrogel-based wearable physical sensors. We have also obtained promising results on the synthesis of ultrasoft conductive BBEs. These expertise and promising results will ensure us to successfully accomplish the proposed objectives of this application. This research program targets the key technological gaps in the area of stretchable electronics, and will produce new knowledge, original material systems, and novel wearable/implantable device technologies to further advance the field. We will demonstrate the unique properties and functionalities of these wearable and implantable devices for smart wound dressing, wearable physical/biosensing for rehabilitation, and in-vivo neural signal measurement; these efforts will lay solid foundation for practical use of these devices. The results from this research will eventually lead to innovative medical devices to improve healthcare outcomes and benefit the Canadian society. The research will also generate new intellectual properties that could be licensed to industry or translated through spin-offs, and thus contribute to the economy of Canada. The new materials and technologies will also allow my group to tackle other related open scientific problems (e.g., soft neuromorphic electronics) within and beyond the tenure of this Discovery Grant.

具有超低柔软度和高拉伸性的可穿戴电子产品使其能够与生物系统无缝集成，并提供独特的功能，如多模式传感和刺激。对于可穿戴和植入式应用，理想的电子设备应设计为匹配我们皮肤/组织的机械特性，并适应身体运动引起的应力/应变。此外，多模态传感能力应集成在同一基板上，以实现多功能系统。 该研究计划的总体目标是开发新型超软和高度可拉伸的电子产品，用于可穿戴物理/生物传感和植入式神经接口。利用我们在可拉伸传感器和电子产品方面的领先专业知识，我们的目标是探索两种超软和可拉伸材料的新型生物电子用途，双网络离子水凝胶和瓶刷弹性体（BBE），用于开发具有多模态感觉的集成可穿戴设备。具体的短期目标是：目标1：设计新型离子水凝胶物理/生物传感器，用于测量机械应变、温度、湿度、pH和电解质。目标二：开发一种能够进行愈合监测和按需抗生素输送的离子型水凝胶皮肤伤口敷料;并开发一种用于康复状况监测的水凝胶可穿戴设备。目标三：开发一种新的策略，用于合成聚二甲基硅氧烷（PDMS）为基础的，超软导电BBE;并制作一个导电BBE为基础的神经电极阵列在体内脑信号记录。我的团队对基于水凝胶的可穿戴物理传感器进行了原创性研究。我们还获得了有希望的结果，在超软导电BBE的合成。这些专业知识和有希望的结果将确保我们成功地实现本申请的拟议目标。 该研究计划针对可拉伸电子领域的关键技术差距，并将产生新知识，原始材料系统和新型可穿戴/植入式设备技术，以进一步推动该领域的发展。我们将展示这些可穿戴和植入式设备的独特性能和功能，用于智能伤口敷料，可穿戴物理/生物传感康复和体内神经信号测量;这些努力将为这些设备的实际使用奠定坚实的基础。这项研究的结果最终将导致创新的医疗设备，以改善医疗保健结果，造福加拿大社会。这项研究还将产生新的知识产权，这些知识产权可以授权给工业界或通过附带产品转化，从而为加拿大经济做出贡献。新的材料和技术也将使我的团队能够解决其他相关的开放科学问题（例如，软神经形态电子学）在这个发现补助金的任期内和任期外。