Bio Focus: Stretchable silver nanowire microelectrodes show promise for studying cell functions
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oof-of-concept study, the researchers integrated the microelecStretchable silver nanowire trodes into a stimulation device. The microelectrodes show promise for studying cell functions membrane was placed on top of a microfluidic channel through which fluid tretchable electronics have opened could be pumped at various speeds and the door to exciting possibilities loads. The researchers could stretch the in biomedical treatment and research, membrane and mechanically stimulate with applications that go beyond wearcells grown in vitro above the memable diagnostic and therapeutic devices. brane. Combined with the microelecSomeday, they could play a key role in trodes, the device facilitated the electristimulating wound healing and bringing cal, mechanical, and electromechanical therapeutic drugs to market faster. stimulation of cells. As reported in Advanced Healthcare After pretreating the device to enMaterials (doi:10.1002/adhm.201670083), sure that cells were not exposed to poresearchers at ETH Zürich have recenttentially harmful solvents, the researchly fabricated miniaturized stretchable ers coated the surface with fibronectin, electrodes using silver nanowires. The a protein important in wound healing. electrodes are biocompatible and can A few days later the cells were exposed be used to study complicated biological to electrical, mechanical, and electroprocesses. The size of the electrodes mechanical stimulation in amounts that enables precise spatial control of elecpromote the healing of skin wounds. trical fields and the fabrication method The results demonstrated both the reliis user-friendly and inexpensive. ability and possibilities of this method The key to their success is a for studying the effects of complex simple, benchtop technique for patenvironmental stimuli that many cells terning nanowires onto a stretchable experience. membrane. After spreading a silver “The scientists used an elegant apnanowire suspension over a photomask proach to micropattern silver nanoand letting it dry, the mask is flipped wires on elastic membranes,” says upside down and placed on a liquid Gulden Camci-Unal, a researcher prepolymer. As the exposed prepolyat the University of Massachusetts mer is cured with UV light, it becomes Lowell who specializes in engineercross-linked and the nanowires are ing biomaterial platforms to improve trapped inside. The polymer is then human health. “The results can be used lifted off and discarded, leaving only to design new devices that have diagthe silver nanowires within the masked nostic and therapeutic capabilities.” Stretchable microelectronics have enormous potential in biomedicine, but there have been a b some challenges, according to Camci -Unal. As in this work, priorities for the future should include a focus on inexpensive fabrication methods, durable electronic components, and biocompatible coatings, she says. False color scanning electron microscope images of a fibroblast (green) on top of a silver nanowire/polymer (PDMS) carpet at Kendra Redmond different magnifications. Scal
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