Hydrogel coatings from graphene and starch for brain implants. Free Technical Library News

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Graphene and starch hydrogel coatings for brain implants

03.12.2018

Hydrogels are polymeric networks capable of holding large amounts of liquid when they are in water without changing their size. With the addition of new components, hydrogels can acquire certain properties: for example, electrical conductivity. Their application is diverse: from gardening to medicine.

In this case, we are talking about medical use. The hydrogel is coated with neural interfaces, the components responsible for the electrical connection in brain implants that interact with the nervous system by stimulating neurons with electrical impulses. The polymer network allows neural interfaces - usually rigid - to interact more gently with brain tissue.

To provide their hydrogel with electrical conductivity, scientists from the University of the Basque Country Krom used graphene. This material provides electrical properties that are very suitable for a hydrogel. He has one drawback: he is not easily stabilized in water. Therefore, scientists used sage extracts to make graphene stable in the aquatic environment. These extracts also make the hydrogel even more suitable for medical use, as they have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

In addition, the researchers chose for another hydrogel a biopolymer that has not yet been used for such structures: starch. The development is also unique in that scientists used the click chemistry method to obtain a hydrogel. This is a strategy that has attracted the attention of the scientific community in recent years because, unlike other synthesis methods, click chemistry does not use catalysts in reactions. Chemical substances are obtained by connecting individual small elements together.

The method does not require a large amount of energy to create substances and does not leave by-products.

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accurate monitoring of the state of the lithium battery, which allows to extend the life of the device and replace the battery in advance;
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system diagnostic mode for accurate estimation of power consumption during development;
more than three years of operation when powered by a miniature battery and checking for leakage every 30 seconds;
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Areas of use:

gas leak detection;
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