During this novel research, we synthesized a special material that is intrinsically stretchable and conductive block copolymer with multiple functionalities in one material. We modified the material using chemistry tool kits without the need to blend it with other materials, which is a great advantage. Our material, called Block-6, reduced mechanical stresses on tissues, enhanced device durability, and allowed a more efficient charge transport in the interface with the tissue. Next, we compared this to another commercially available material called Clevios. Our Block-6 had the lowest stiffness (elastic modulus), it could stretch the most before breaking (fracture strain), and it adhered better to the forearm skin. These properties led to the better performance of Block-6 as a one-material comprising a dry EMG electrode! Compared with the commercially available formulation, we found that Block-6 was also more stable against water degradation, which is important for wearable sensors that may get wet from sweat.
Importantly, our organic electronic material is also easy to make and does not use rare and expensive elements like gold. Hence, it has a big economic impact, with a potential to reduce the price of bioelectronic devices due to reduced manufacturing steps, and using cheaper, more common materials. This is crucial for rural areas or those with low income, making healthcare more accessible to all.
This work was presented by me (in person) at several prestigious academic conferences and symposiums. Among them are the American Chemical Society (ACS) Spring 2022, and the 10th ILANIT/FISEB Conference. Except for publishing my research in peer-reviewed papers, I seek more opportunities to communicate my work with colleagues, scientists, and students. I was also participating in institutional seminars and workshops such as the Polymer Communications course (virtual, Georgia Tech, USA). In addition, it is highly important for me to reach a wider audience, hence, I uploaded a brief summary of my research findings to my YouTube channel, which can be also found in my LinkedIn profile. Moreover, I usually use social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to share highlights and summaries of my work with the broader audience as well as my scientific community. My published work will be available to a broad audience through search engines such as Google, Google Scholar, and UC San Diego Library repositories. I believe that by spreading my research in social media and in scientific meetings in addition to the peer-reviewed articles, it can have a broader impact on the scientific community and potentially lead to further advancements and applications in the field of bioelectronics.
