Silk and Silicon based Devices for Bio-Integrated and Bio-Resorbable Electronics

Essay from the year 2016 in the subject Computer Science - Bioinformatics, University of British Columbia, language: English, abstract: This paper focuses on the use of silk and silicon along with other materials to make bio-compatible electronics. Silk acts as a platform for electronics to be built on its surface. Both bio-integrated and transient bio-resorbable electronics can be developed using these devices-based on the application. For Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), where constant connection with the brain surface is required, we use non-transient bio-integration, to obtain high resolution output. Similar technology can be used for electrocorticography (brain mapping for seizure patients). Special fabrication methods cause minimal stresses on the brain tissue and provide good conformal coverage. Transient electronics is bio-resorbable electronics, where in the device dissolves within the body after pre-programmed time frames. This may be used for cases, where the device need not stay in the body for long periods of time. After the time frame, these electronics are reabsorbed by the body, and completely disappear. Dissolvable films of silk and silicon are used for transient electronics. The application is wide and can be used for both bio-medical and non-biomedical purposes.