Researchers have demonstrated, for the first time, a graphene-based transistor array that is compatible with living biological cells and capable of recording the electrical signals they generate. This proof-of-concept platform opens the way for further investigation of a promising new material. Graphene's distinctive combination of characteristics makes it a leading contender for future biomedical applications requiring a direct interface between microelectronic devices and nerve cells or other living tissue. A team of scientists from the Technische Universitaet Muenchen and the Juelich Research Center published the results in the journal Advanced Materials.
Today, if a person has an intimate and dependent relationship with an electronic device, it's most likely to be a smart phone; however, much closer connections may be in store in the foreseeable future. For example, "bioelectronic" applications have been proposed that would place sensors and in some cases actuators inside a person's brain, eye, or ear to help compensate for neural damage. Pioneering research in this direction was done using the mature technology of silicon microelectronics, but in practice that approach may be a dead end: Both flexible substrates and watery biological environments pose serious problems for silicon devices; in addition, they may be too "noisy" for reliable communication with individual nerve cells.
Of the several material systems being explored as alternatives, graphene essentially a two-dimensional sheet of carbon atoms linked in a dense honeycomb pattern seems very well suited to bioelectronic applications: It offers outstanding electronic performance, is chemically stable and biologically inert, can readily be processed on flexible substrates, and should lend itself to large-scale, low-cost fabrication. The latest results from the TUM-Juelich team confirm key performance characteristics and open the way for further advances toward determi
'/>"/>
| Contact: Patrick Regan regan@zv.tum.de 49-892-891-0515 Technische Universitaet Muenchen Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Click chemistry with copper -- a biocompatible version
2. Soft memory device opens door to new biocompatible electronics
3. Graphene lights up with new possibilities
4. Giant flakes make graphene oxide gel
5. New method of growing high-quality graphene promising for next-gen technology
6. NJIT professor working with graphene, carbon nanotubes to receive honor
7. All wrapped up: K-State researchers graphene cloak protects bacteria, leading to better images
8. Chemical engineer earns National Science Foundation CAREER award for work with graphene quantum dots
9. Graphene and spintronics combo looks promising
10. Sugar and slice make graphene real nice
11. Graphene may hold key to speeding up DNA sequencing
 |
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |