Natural Wax for Transient Electronics. (25th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Won, Sang Min; Koo, Jahyun; Crawford, Kaitlyn E.; Mickle, Aaron D.; Xue, Yeguang; Min, Seunghwan; McIlvried, Lisa A.; Yan, Ying; Kim, Sung Bong; Lee, Seung Min; Kim, Bong Hoon; Jang, Hokyung; MacEwan, Matthew R.; Huang, Yonggang; Gereau, Robert W.; Rogers, John A.
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 28:Number 32(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-06-25
• Subjects: bioresorbable electronics -- bioresorbable polymers -- conductive composites -- encapsulation -- wax; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201801819
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract: Emerging classes of bioresorbable electronic materials serve as the basis for active biomedical implants that are capable of providing sensing, monitoring, stimulating, and other forms of function over an operating period matched to biological processes such as wound healing. These platforms are of interest because subsequent dissolution, enzymatic degradation, and/or bioresorption can eliminate the need for surgical extraction. This report introduces natural wax materials as long‐lived, hydrophobic encapsulation layers for such systems, where biodegradation eventually occurs by chain scission. Studies of wax stability as an encapsulation material demonstrate the ability to retain operation of underlying biodegradable electronic systems for durations between a few days to a few weeks during complete immersion in aqueous solutions in ex‐vivo physiological conditions. Electrically conductive composites result from the addition of tungsten micro/nanoparticles, as a conductive, printable paste with similar lifetimes. Demonstrations of these materials in partially biodegradable wireless light‐emitting diodes and near‐field communication circuits illustrate their use in functional bioresorbable electronic systems. Investigations in animal models reveal no signs of toxicity or other adverse biological responses. Abstract : Bioresorbable encapsulation is critically important in the development of an emerging class of biodegradable electronic implant whose key characteristic is to dissolve in a controlled fashion after stable operation. This manuscript introduces wax‐based materials that can be tailored for use as encapsulation layers, substrates, and conductive composites for biodegradable electronics that can operate in stable fashion over extended time periods.