Articles tagged with "bioelectronics"
Scientists create conductive proteins for safe, implantable devices
Scientists at Spain’s CIC biomaGUNE, in collaboration with BCMaterials and CIC EnergiGUN, have developed artificial conductive proteins designed for energy storage and transport. These proteins are biocompatible, stable, and easy to process, making them promising candidates to replace conventional, often hazardous materials used in batteries and supercapacitors. The proteins are engineered through a modular approach, assembling small molecular units into stable structures whose functions—such as ionic conduction—can be precisely tailored by genetically modifying the DNA blueprint. This modification enables efficient electrical charge movement, allowing the proteins to be integrated into energy storage devices capable of rapid energy release and storage. The biocompatibility of these conductive proteins addresses a significant challenge in implantable medical devices, where traditional rigid metals and silicon components can cause tissue irritation and damage due to stiffness mismatch with soft body tissues. These protein-based materials offer a safer, non-toxic alternative for bioelectronic applications, including pacemakers, implantable glucose sensors, and brain electrodes for
energymaterialsbioelectronicsconductive-proteinsenergy-storagebiocompatible-materialssustainable-technologyWireless brain chips self-implant after injection, heal from within
MIT researchers have developed microscopic, wireless bioelectronic devices called “circulatronics” that can be injected into the bloodstream and autonomously self-implant in targeted brain regions without invasive surgery. These ultra-small devices, about one-billionth the length of a grain of rice, combine nanoelectronics with living biological cells, allowing them to evade immune rejection and naturally cross the blood-brain barrier. Once implanted, they can be wirelessly powered to stimulate neurons with micrometer precision, offering potential treatments for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, brain cancer, and brain inflammation. The circulatronics were successfully tested in animal trials, where they navigated the circulatory system to deliver localized neuromodulation without harming surrounding neurons. Fabricated using CMOS-compatible processes and integrated with living cells, these biohybrid implants create a brain-computer symbiosis that could revolutionize neural disease treatment, especially where traditional therapies fail. The research team, led by Deblina Sarkar at MIT
IoTwireless-technologybioelectronicsbrain-implantsneuromodulationorganic-semiconductorsmedical-devicesMushrooms could be used to make eco-friendly computer memory chips
Researchers at The Ohio State University have demonstrated that common edible mushrooms, such as shiitake and button mushrooms, can function as organic memristors—devices that store and process digital data by remembering past electrical states. In lab experiments, dehydrated mushrooms exhibited repeatable memory effects comparable to semiconductor chips, successfully changing electrical states at speeds up to 5,850 signals per second and maintaining about 90% accuracy after two months. These fungal devices showed potential as low-cost, biodegradable, and energy-efficient alternatives to traditional silicon-based memory chips, which rely on rare-earth minerals and consume significant power. The study highlights fungal electronics as a promising sustainable option for future computing systems, with scalability that could serve applications ranging from edge computing and aerospace to wearable technology. While challenges remain, such as performance drops at higher voltage frequencies, these can be addressed by circuit design adjustments, like adding more mushrooms. The researchers envision a future where fungal computing could be accessible at various scales, from small compost-heap setups to large
materialsbioelectronicsmemristorssustainable-computingbiodegradable-electronicsmushroom-based-memoryeco-friendly-technology3D human colon model may replace animal testing in cancer labs
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a bioelectronic-integrated three-dimensional human colon model (3D-IVM-HC) that replicates key anatomical and cellular features of the human colon, including its curvature, layered structure, and cryptlike folds. This miniature model, measuring 5 by 10 millimeters, is constructed from human-compatible materials such as gelatin methacrylate and alginate, and is lined with human colon cells and fibroblasts to mimic the mucosal environment. The model supports more realistic cell behavior and interactions, resulting in a fourfold increase in cell density compared to traditional 2D cultures, enhancing physiological relevance and barrier function. The 3D-IVM-HC model addresses significant limitations of animal testing in colorectal cancer research by offering a more ethical, cost-effective, and scalable alternative that eliminates interspecies variability. Testing with the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil demonstrated that cancer cells in the model exhibited drug resistance levels closer to clinical
bioelectronics3D-human-colon-modelcancer-researchbiomedical-engineeringdrug-testing-alternativesmaterials-scienceprecision-medicineNew lab-built neuron achieves brain-like function at only 0.1 volts
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed an artificial neuron that closely mimics the electrical function of biological neurons while operating at an ultra-low voltage of just 0.1 volts—comparable to the voltage in human neurons. This breakthrough builds on prior work using protein nanowires derived from the electricity-generating bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens. Unlike previous artificial neurons that required significantly higher voltages and power, this new design drastically reduces energy consumption, potentially enabling more efficient bio-inspired computing systems and seamless integration with living cells. The low-voltage artificial neurons could revolutionize wearable electronics and medical devices by eliminating the need for signal amplification, which currently increases power use and circuit complexity. This advancement opens possibilities for electronics that directly interface with the human body, enhancing efficiency and functionality. The research team envisions applications ranging from ultra-efficient computers modeled on brain principles to novel biomedical devices. Their findings, supported by multiple U.S. agencies, were published in Nature Communications, marking a significant step toward
energyartificial-neuronsprotein-nanowiresbio-inspired-computinglow-power-electronicsbrain-like-functionbioelectronicsLiving cell-based computing system could advance medical biosensors
Researchers at Rice University, supported by a $1.99 million National Science Foundation grant, are developing a novel biological computing system that uses engineered bacterial cells as digital processors. This four-year project aims to create networks of microbes that communicate chemically or electrically, forming parallel computing systems capable of learning, adapting, and responding to environmental inputs. By integrating these microbial networks with electronic systems, the team hopes to build living computers that can perform complex computations with greater energy efficiency than traditional silicon-based hardware. This approach builds on the broader field of biocomputing, which leverages living matter—such as brain organoids or microbes—to overcome the high energy demands of artificial intelligence. Unlike existing efforts like the Swiss company FinalSpark’s organoid-powered AI platform, the Rice project uniquely focuses on microbes, exploiting their natural communication abilities to create adaptable, pattern-recognizing biosensors. Potential applications include advanced medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring, where living biosensors could detect chemical markers and transmit data electronically. The project also plans
biocomputingsynthetic-biologybiological-computingenergy-efficient-computingmicrobial-processorsbioelectronicsAI-energy-solutionsTiny spinal implant revives nerves in rats, hints at paralysis cure
Researchers at the University of Auckland have developed a tiny, ultra-thin spinal implant that delivers controlled electrical currents directly to the injury site in rats, successfully restoring movement and sensation after spinal cord injury. This implant works by reactivating natural electric fields that guide nerve growth and healing, a process crucial during early nervous system development but dormant in adults. Over a 12-week study, rats receiving daily electrical stimulation showed significant improvements in motor function and sensory response without inflammation or damage, highlighting both the treatment’s efficacy and safety. The study, published in Nature Communications and conducted in collaboration with Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology, offers promising proof of concept that electrical stimulation could aid recovery from spinal cord injuries, which currently have no effective cure. Unlike humans, rats have some natural recovery ability, allowing researchers to compare outcomes with and without the implant. The next research phase will focus on optimizing stimulation parameters such as strength, frequency, and duration to refine the therapy for potential human application. Ultimately, this technology
robotmedical-implantspinal-cord-injuryneurostimulationbioelectronicsrehabilitation-technologyneural-engineeringTofu-like brain implant lets scientists track cyborg tadpole growth
Bioengineering researchers at Harvard SEAS have developed a soft, stretchable, tofu-like neural implant that can be integrated into the nervous system of live tadpole embryos to monitor brain development from its earliest stages. The implant, made from fluorinated elastomers that mimic the softness and flexibility of biological tissue, is embedded into the neural plate—the flat precursor to the brain and spinal cord—and can record electrical activity from individual neurons with millisecond precision without disrupting normal development or behavior. This innovation enables continuous, stable tracking of neural activity throughout the complex folding and formation of the brain, offering unprecedented insight into early brain development. The technology addresses a critical gap, as current methods cannot noninvasively monitor neural activity during early embryonic stages when disorders such as autism, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia may originate. By leveraging the natural growth process, the implant can expand with the developing brain, potentially allowing widespread sensor implantation across the 3D brain structure. This advancement builds on previous work with soft bioelectronics in organ
bioelectronicsneural-implantsbrain-developmentbioengineeringfluorinated-elastomerssoft-roboticsneural-monitoringDissolvable battery developed, generates electricity for over 100 mins
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a dissolvable battery powered by probiotics—live microorganisms commonly found in yogurt and health supplements—that can generate electricity for over 100 minutes before harmlessly dissolving into the environment. This innovation addresses a major challenge in transient or bioresorbable electronics, which require power sources that disintegrate without leaving toxic residues. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which contain harmful materials, this biobattery uses a 15-strain probiotic blend on water-soluble or pH-responsive substrates, enabling controlled power delivery ranging from 4 minutes to over 100 minutes. A single module produces 4 µW of power, 47 µA of current, and an open-circuit voltage of 0.65 V. The research team, led by faculty member Choi from the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, drew on two decades of work on disposable “papertronics” and biobatteries. They engineered porous, polymer- and nanoparticle-enhanced electrodes to optimize the electrogenic capability of the probiotics, ensuring safe and efficient electricity generation. This breakthrough paves the way for new applications in biomedical implants, environmental sensors, and disposable electronics that require safe, transient power sources. The study highlights the potential for bioenergy systems that dissolve without environmental harm, fulfilling a vision similar to the self-destructing devices popularized in fiction like the Mission: Impossible films.
energybattery-technologybioelectronicstransient-electronicsprobioticsmicrobial-fuel-cellsbiodegradable-batteries