Abstract
Soft neural electrode arrays that are mechanically matched between neural tissues and electrodes offer valuable opportunities for the development of disease diagnose and brain computer interface systems. Here, a thermal release transfer printing method for fabrication of stretchable bioelectronics, such as soft neural electrode arrays, is presented. Due to the large, switchable and irreversible change in adhesion strength of thermal release tape, a low‐cost, easy‐to‐operate, and temperature‐controlled transfer printing process can be achieved. The mechanism of this method is analyzed by experiments and fracture‐mechanics models. Using the thermal release transfer printing method, a stretchable neural electrode array is fabricated by a sacrificial‐layer‐free process. The ability of the as‐fabricated electrode array to conform different curvilinear surfaces is confirmed by experimental and theoretical studies. High‐quality electrocorticography signals of anesthetized rat are collected with the as‐fabricated electrode array, which proves good conformal interface between the electrodes and dura mater. The application of the as‐fabricated electrode array on detecting the steady‐state visual evoked potentials research is also demonstrated by in vivo experiments and the results are compared with those detected by stainless‐steel screw electrodes.
Highlights
Soft neural electrode arrays that are mechanically matched between neural tissues and electrodes offer valuable opportunities for the development of disease diagnose and brain computer interface systems
When the temperature increases to be higher than Tr, the weakened adhesion strength of thermal release tape (TRT) makes it be removed from the membrane bonded at a low temperature (
It is shown that the TRT used in this method can pick up microdevices much easier than a conventional transfer printing stamp due to its large strong to weak dry adhesion strength ratio
Summary
Soft neural electrode arrays that are mechanically matched between neural tissues and electrodes offer valuable opportunities for the development of disease diagnose and brain computer interface systems. A thermal release transfer printing method for fabrication of stretchable bioelectronics, such as soft neural electrode arrays, is presented. Using the thermal release transfer printing method, a stretchable neural electrode array is fabricated by a sacrificial-layer-free process. In order to increase the strong to weak adhesion ratio, additional lithography processes associated with modifying stamps by inducing relief microstructures on the stamp surface may be employed These may impact the cost and convenience in the manufacture of stretchable bioelectronics. Due to the small Van der Waals force between the conventional PDMS stamp and microdevices, the retrieval of the metal/PI-based microdevices cannot be accomplished by the common kinetically controlled transfer printing method if no sacrificial layer is fabricated.[5,54] Using the thermal release transfer printing approach, a stretchable neural electrode array on ultrathin elastomeric substrate has been designed and fabricated. The application of the as-fabricated electrode array on detection of steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) response has been demonstrated by in vivo experiments and the results have been compared with stainless-steel screw electrodes
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