Abstract
Biological systems use a large variety of ions and molecules of different sizes for signaling. Precise electronic regulation of biological systems therefore requires an interface which translates the electronic signals into chemically specific biological signals. One technology for this purpose that has been developed during the last decade is the organic electronic ion pump (OEIP). To date, OEIPs have been fabricated by micropatterning and labor-intensive manual techniques, hindering the potential application areas of this promising technology. Here we show, for the first time, fully screen-printed OEIPs. We demonstrate a large-area printed design with manufacturing yield >90%. Screen-printed cation- and anion-exchange membranes are both demonstrated with promising ion selectivity and performance, with transport verified for both small ions (Na+, K+, Cl–) and biologically-relevant molecules (the cationic neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and the anionic anti-inflammatory salicylic acid). These advances open the ‘iontronics’ toolbox to the world of printed electronics, paving the way for a broader arena for applications.
Highlights
Unlike electronic systems, biological systems utilize ions and molecules for signaling, transmission of information, and regulation of health status
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) were printed with a composition based on polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride-based supplied by RISE Acreo
organic electronic ion pump (OEIP) were fabricated on flexible Polyethylene terephthalate foils (PET) substrates using only sequential screen-printing of contact pads, ion selective membranes, organic electrodes, and dielectric materials (figure 1(c))
Summary
Biological systems utilize ions and molecules for signaling, transmission of information, and regulation of health status. Emerging and future technologies for interfacing biology—such as therapeutic implants, functional prostheses, or ‘smart’ wound dressings—can utilize ionic and molecular signaling to achieve even greater integration and efficacy. In particular, so-called ‘iontronics’, have been proposed as an ideal platform for translating electronic signals into ionic signals for such bioelectronic technologies [1–4]. In the context of this article, iontronic devices are organic electronic components and systems that utilizes the coupling of the ionic and electronic transport in conducting polymers and hydrated polyelectrolytes. The prototypical iontronic component is the organic electronic ion pump (OEIP) (figure 1), which uses conducting polymer electrodes to drive electrophoresis (i.e. drug delivery) of charged substances for delivery at high spatiotemporal resolution and without liquid flow [5, 6]. The OEIP, which represents an iontronic resistor, has been expanded to iontronic diodes [12] (AEM-CEM junction) and transistors [13, 14] (e.g. AEM-CEM-AEM junctions), promising more precisely control of delivery and eventually more functionally complex bioelectronic systems and therapies
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