Self-packaged stretchable printed circuits with ligand-bound liquid metal particles in elastomer.

Packaging in stretchable electronics is crucial to protect components from environmental damage while preserving mechanical flexibility and providing electrical insulation. The conventional packaging process involves multiple steps that increase in complexity as the number of circuit layers multiply. In this study, we introduce a self-packaged stretchable printed circuit board enabled by the in situ phase separation of liquid metal particles (LMPs) within various polymer matrices during solution-based printing processes.

Microsensor-Internalized Fibers as Autonomously Controllable Soft Actuators.

Despite their strengths in flexibility and miniaturization, the stable operation of soft actuators under ever-changing environmental and biological conditions is hindered by the lack of applicable methods using internal sensors to detect unintentional stimuli. Here, the integration of a microscale driving source and sensors in a single fiber via thermal drawing is presented as a strategy to scalably produce autonomously responsive, feedback-controllable soft actuators. The regulation of the input electrothermal stimuli via a closed loop control system that is based on completely coupled internal sensory components enables multimodal actuation of fiber-based actuators, which is further demonstrated through preservation of actuating conditions, actuation of selected devices in their bundles, and modulation of motion characteristics.

Structurally Aligned Multifunctional Neural Probe (SAMP) Using Forest-Drawn CNT Sheet onto Thermally Drawn Polymer Fiber for Long-Term In Vivo Operation.

Neural probe engineering is a dynamic field, driving innovation in neuroscience and addressing scientific and medical demands. Recent advancements involve integrating nanomaterials to improve performance, aiming for sustained in vivo functionality. However, challenges persist due to size, stiffness, complexity, and manufacturing intricacies.

Computational and Histological Analyses for Investigating Mechanical Interaction of Thermally Drawn Fiber Implants with Brain Tissue.

The development of a compliant neural probe is necessary to achieve chronic implantation with minimal signal loss. Although fiber-based neural probes fabricated by the thermal drawing process have been proposed as a solution, their long-term effect on the brain has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we examined the mechanical interaction of thermally drawn fiber implants with neural tissue through computational and histological analyses.