Transient, Implantable, Ultrathin Biofuel Cells Enabled by Laser-Induced Graphene and Gold Nanoparticles Composite

Abstract

Transient power sources with excellent biocompatibility and bioresorablility have attracted significant attention. Here, we report high-performance, transient glucose enzymatic biofuel cells (TEBFCs) based on the laser-induced graphene (LIG)/gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) composite electrodes. Such LIG electrodes can be easily fabricated from polyimide (PI) with an infrared CO 2 laser and exhibit a low impedance (16 Ω). The resulted TEBFC yields a high open circuit potential (OCP) of 0.77 V and a maximum power density of 483.1 μW/cm 2 . The TEBFC not only exhibits a quick response time that enables reaching the maximum OCP within 1 min but also owns a long lifetime over 28 days in vitro. The excellent biocompatibility and transient performance from in vitro and in vivo tests allow long-term implantation of TEBFCs in rats for energy harvesting. The TEBFCs with advanced processing methods provide a promising power solution for transient electronics.

Recent Advances in Materials, Designs and Applications of Skin Electronics

“…For the material system of skin electronics, in addition to functional materials for specific functions and substrate/encapsulation materials for overall protection, conductive materials are essential to achieve the interconnection of soft functional components and the complete function of the whole circuits. To match specific application scenarios, the design and selection of conductive materials in skin electronics is very critical to maintaining overall flexibility and functionality, and common conductive materials for interconnection of electronic components can be roughly divided into four categories according to conductive properties:1) conductive polymer [25], [26]; 2) carbon-based conductive nanomaterials (graphene [27], [28], carbon nanotube [29] et al); 3) metal-based conductive materials (gold [11] , silver [25], [27] etc. ); 4) hydrogel-based conductive materials [30].…”

“…Citation information: DOI 10.1109/OJNANO.2022.3218960 employed for electrophysiological signals detection [28] (Fig. 3(c)) and biofuel cells [27]. Sun et al et [28] utilized the precise patterning of LIG to fabricate complex functional circuits, while the high porosity of graphene provides a new option for comfortable and breathable skin electronics.…”

“…Huang et al proposed a transient, ultrathin and implantable biofuel cell by LIG and Au nanoparticles [27] (Fig. 3(d)), which harvests energy from the oxidation of glucose and obtains high open circuit potential of 0.77V and maximum power density of 483.1µW/cm 2 .…”

“…Citation information: DOI 10.1109/OJNANO.2022.3218960 electrospinning PVDF organic solution for e-skin [16]; (f) Wearable thermoelectric generator 880 through Lego-like reconfigurable design based on Bi and Sb chalcogenides thermoelectric legs [19]; (g) Flexible perovskite arrays for photodetection [20]; (h) Electrochromic polymer-based eskin for touch sensing [22]; (i) electrochromic e-skin based on inorganic electrochromic material (WO3) [23]; (j) Stretchable electroluminescent e-skin based on ZnO phosphors [2]. LIG-based gas-permeable electrophysiological sensor [28]; (d) Biofuel cells with LIG as catalyst carrier [27]; (e) Serpentine Au foils designed for conformal skin electronics [32]; (f) Liquid-metalbased e-skin by in-situ stamp printing [34]; (g) Conductive hydrogel based on PANI polymer network [36]; (j) Ionic conducting hydrogels with NaCl as electrolyte [41]. (g-i) Pre-stretching based 2D and 3D structure.…”

Implantable Electronic Medicine Enabled by Bioresorbable Microneedles for Wireless Electrotherapy and Drug Delivery

“…This study develops a miniaturized and implantable electronic medicine device for the combined treatment using medication and electrostimulation. This idea is inspired by the recent advances in transient electronics and microneedle technology. − Traditional implantable devices often bring risks of infection, and materials leakage causes tissue damage. − Transient electronics refer to electronic devices with the capability of disintegrating or vanishing after operation. , They can be used to collect physiological signals, sense the biomarkers, perform the electrostimulation, and provide wireless communication. − In comparison to transcutaneous electrostimulation, invasive electrostimulation offers much better therapeutic effects that can provide a greater concentration and parallel distribution of the electric fields. , However, they have limited capability in delivering drugs into the deep tissues. Microneedles can delivery drugs into the local deep tissue by creating a transit pathway in the tissue surface. , We hypothesize that the integration of transient electronics and microneedles permits the accurate, sustained, and intelligent delivery of electrostimulation and medication to a broader range of tissues .…”