Bioinspired Ferroelectric Polymer Arrays as Photodetectors with Signal Transmissible to Neuron Cells

Abstract

A bioinspired photodetector with signal transmissible to neuron cells is fabricated. Photoisomerization of the dye molecules embedded in the ferroelectric polymer membrane achieves electric polarization change under visible light. The photodetector realizes high sensitivity, color recognition, transient response, and 3D visual detection with resolution of 25 000 PPI, and, impressively, directly transduces the signal to neuron cells.

All-organic composites with strong photoelectric response over a wide spectral range

“…The current commercial artificial retina systems are complex and require external power sources [12][13][14]. New artificial retina systems being developed are expected to be much simpler and they could be only composed of a layer of light-sensitive thin film implanted on the retina [15]. The thin film can directly convert light into electrical signal, which stimulates the optic nerve, and the photodetector film has a function resembling that of the real retina [15,16].…”

“…New artificial retina systems being developed are expected to be much simpler and they could be only composed of a layer of light-sensitive thin film implanted on the retina [15]. The thin film can directly convert light into electrical signal, which stimulates the optic nerve, and the photodetector film has a function resembling that of the real retina [15,16]. For use as artificial retina photodetectors, the photodetector materials should be flexible and display a photoelectric response in a wide range of light wavelengths that is sufficiently strong for the direct stimulation of neurons.…”

“…Besides the semiconductive materials, insulating ferroelectric polymers have also been explored to design organic photodetector materials. In a recent study, the blend of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) ferroelectric polymer and azobenzene polymer was investigated as the photodetector for artificial retina [15]. The photoelectric response of the blend arises from the polarization change of the copolymer via the coupling effect of the photoisomerization process of the light-sensitive azobenzene polymer and the piezoelectric or flexoelectric effect of the ferroelectric polymer [26][27][28].…”

High-Capacity, Fast-Response, and Photocapacitor-Based Terpolymer Phosphor Composite

“…The emerging field of bioelectronics integration offers new physical development regarding neuroelectronic components [1]. The integration of malleable materials such as inorganic conductors and semiconductors including conjugated polymers remains attractive for neuronal applications [2][3][4] particularly for artificial retinal devices [5,6]. High flexibility and large mechanical deformation of the malleable host material is required for the practical application of bioelectronics in order to operate under humidity and biocompatible environments.…”

Magnetically driven piezoelectric soft microswimmers for neuron-like cell delivery and neuronal differentiation

“…Piezoelectric polymers, such as polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), are particularly promising due to their easy-processing, mechanical robustness, flexibility, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. 26,28 CoFe 2 O 4 (CFO) was selected as the magnetic component due to its hardmagnetic nature, which enables the programming of the magnetization direction of the composite structure. The remanence magnetization of CFO allows the composite helical structure to be permanently magnetized perpendicular to its long axis.…”