Nature Communications (Nov 2023)

Resorbable barrier polymers for flexible bioelectronics

  • Samantha M. McDonald,
  • Quansan Yang,
  • Yen-Hao Hsu,
  • Shantanu P. Nikam,
  • Ziying Hu,
  • Zilu Wang,
  • Darya Asheghali,
  • Tiffany Yen,
  • Andrey V. Dobrynin,
  • John A. Rogers,
  • Matthew L. Becker

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42775-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Resorbable, implantable bioelectronic devices are emerging as powerful tools to reliably monitor critical physiological parameters in real time over extended periods. While degradable magnesium-based electronics have pioneered this effort, relatively short functional lifetimes have slowed clinical translation. Barrier films that are both flexible and resorbable over predictable timelines would enable tunability in device lifetime and expand the viability of these devices. Herein, we present a library of stereocontrolled succinate-based copolyesters which leverage copolymer composition and processing method to afford tunability over thermomechanical, crystalline, and barrier properties. One copolymer composition within this library has extended the functional lifetime of transient bioelectronic prototypes over existing systems by several weeks–representing a considerable step towards translational devices.