High‑Performance Flexible Microneedle Array as a Low‑Impedance Surface Biopotential Dry Electrode for Wearable Electrophysiological Recording and Polysomnography

Microneedle array(MNA)electrodes are an effective solution to achieve high-quality surface biopotential recording without the coordination of conductive gel and are thus very suitable for long-term wearable applications.Existing schemes are limited by flexibility,biosafety,and manufacturing costs,which create large barriers for wider applications.Here,we present a novel flexible MNA electrode that can simultaneously achieve flexibility of the substrate to fit a curved body surface,robustness of microneedles to penetrate the skin without fracture,and a simplified process to allow mass production.The compatibility with wearable wireless systems and the short preparation time of the electrodes significantly improves the comfort and convenience of electrophysiological recording.The normalized electrode–skin contact impedance reaches 0.98 kΩcm^(2)at 1 kHz and 1.50 kΩcm^(2)at 10 Hz,a record low value compared to previous reports and approximately 1/250 of the standard electrodes.The morphology,biosafety,and electrical/mechanical properties are fully characterized,and wearable recordings with a high signal-to-noise ratio and low motion artifacts are realized.The first reported clinical study of microneedle electrodes for surface electrophysiological monitoring was conducted in tens of healthy and sleep-disordered subjects with 44 nights of recording(over 8 h per night),providing substantial evidence that the electrodes can be leveraged to substitute for clinical standard electrodes.

SILICON NEEDLE ARRAY ON FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE FOR FLUID TRANSFER

Transdermal delivery is an attractive alternative, but it is limited by the extremely low permeability of skin. To solve this problem, a novel means--micro needle array based on micro electro-mechanical system （MEMS） technology, is provided to increase permeability of human skin with efficiency, safety and painless delivery. The fabrication method consists of a sequence of deep-reactive ion etching （DRIE）, anisotropic wet etching and conformal thin film deposition. The novel technology can enable the realization of micro fabricated micro needle array on a flexible silicon substrate. The micro needle array can be mounted on non-planar surface or even on flexible objects such as a human fingers and arms. The fabricated hollow wall straight micro needles are 200 μm in length, 30 μm inner diameter, and 50 μm outer diameter with 250 μm center-to-center spacing. Flow rate test proves that the polymeric base construction is important to function of micro needles array in package. Glucose solvent tests show that surface tension is the dominant force to affect the characters of flow in micro needles channel.

Simultaneous Measurement of Neural Activities of Acute Mouse Hippocampal Slices Using Multi-Electrode Array System and Laser Confocal Calcium Imaging

Recently, non-invasive, real-time and multi-point measurement of neural activities has become possible by using a multi-electrode array (MEA). Another method for multi-point measurement is the fluorescent imaging technique using voltage indicator dyes or calcium indicator dyes. Especially, calcium imaging using fluorescent calcium indicator dyes is often more useful, because they exhibit larger changes in the fluorescence intensity than voltage indicator dyes and their fluorescence changes can be detect easily. Additionally, calcium signals play key roles in the brain function, such as the long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus, and calcium imaging can be a powerful tool to elucidate the brain function. In this study, we constructed a measurement apparatus combining the MEA system and laser confocal calcium imaging and simultaneously measured electric signals and calcium signals in acute mouse hippocampal slices. The obtained results showed the availability of the present method.

Numerical simulation research on multi-electrodes resistivity imaging survey array

Multi-electrodes Resistivity Imaging Survey(MRIS)is an array method of electrical survey.In practice how to choose a reasonable array is the key to get reliable survey results.Based on four methods of MRIS such as Wenner,Schlumberger,Pole-pole and Dipole-dipole the authors established the model,by studying the result of the forward numerical simulation modeling and inverse modeling,and analyzed the differences among the different forms of detection devices.

Cu nanowire array with designed interphases enabling high performance Si anode toward flexible lithium-ion battery

To meet the growing demand for wearable smart electronic devices,the development of flexible lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)is essential.Silicon is an ideal candidate for the anode material of flexible lithium-ion batteries due to its high specific capacity,low working potential,and earth abundance.The largest challenge in developing a flexible silicon anode is how to maintain structural integrity and ensure stable electrochemical reactions during external deformation.In this work,we propose a novel design for fabricating core–shell electrodes based on a copper nanowire(CuNW)array core and magnetron sputtered Si/C shell.The nanowire array structure has characteristics of bending under longitudinal stress and twisting under transverse stress,which helps to maintain the mechanical stability of the structure during electrode bending and cycling.The low-temperature annealing generates a small amount of Cu3Si alloy,which enhances the connection strength between Si and the conductive network and solves the poor conductivity problem of Si,which is known as a semiconductor material.This unique configuration design of CuNW@Si@C-400℃ leads to stable long cycle performance of 1109 mAh∙g^(-1) after 1000 cycles and excellent rate performance of 500 mAh∙g^(-1) at a current density of 10 A∙g^(-1).Furthermore,the CuNW@Si@C-400℃||LiFePO_(4)(LFP)full battery demonstrates excellent flexibility,with a capacity retention of more than 96%after 100 bends.This study provides a promising strategy for the development of flexible lithium-ion batteries.

A 16-channel high-voltage reconfigurable and flexible-controlled implantable wireless closed-loop system for SCI repair

An adaptive closed-loop system for spinal cord injury(SCI) repair is designed. It integrates stimulation and recording on 16 pairs of electrodes. Two switches(SAS3 T16/SAS1 T16 X2) fabricated in high-voltage 0.8 μm process with online re-configurable function are proposed. These two switches are combined with commercial off-the-shelf(COTS) electronics to implement the closed-loop implantable system in compact module. The system includes amplifier for recording neural signals, high-voltage stimulator, power transmission device, central processing module and flexible implantable electrodes. Two customized switches route any electrode to amplifier or stimulator, and nerve stimulation and signal recording are performed through lead wire-driven channels. The entire system is able to operate at up to 28 V, and is a biocompatible package with a volume of 42 mm×35 mm×8 mm. This system solves several problems encountered in implantable devices: low flexibility, negative influence of stimulus artifacts on neural detection and low integration of electrodes.

Laser speckle grayscale lithography:a new tool for fabricating highly sensitive flexible capacitive pressure sensors

Achieving a high sensitivity for practical applications has always been one of the main developmental directions for wearable flexible pressure sensors.This paper introduces a laser speckle grayscale lithography system and a novel method for fabricating random conical array microstructures using grainy laser speckle patterns.Its feasibility is attributed to the autocorrelation function of the laser speckle intensity,which adheres to a first-order Bessel function of the first kind.Through objective speckle size and exposure dose manipulations,we developed a microstructured photoresist with various micromorphologies.These microstructures were used to form polydimethylsiloxane microstructured electrodes that were used in flexible capacitive pressure sensors.These-1 sensors exhibited an ultra-high sensitivity:19.76 kPa for the low-pressure range of 0-100 Pa.Their minimum detection threshold was 1.9 Pa,and they maintained stability and resilience over 10,000 test cycles.These sensors proved to be adept at capturing physiological signals and providing tactile feedback,thereby emphasizing their practical value.

Advancing pressure sensors performance through a flexible MXene embedded interlocking structure in a microlens array

Piezoresistive composite elastomers have shown great potentials for wearable and flexible electronic applications due to their high sensitivity,excellent frequency response,and easy signal detection.A composition membrane sensor with an interlocked structure has been developed and demonstrated outstanding pressure sensitivity,fast response time,and low temperature drift features.Compared with a flexible MXene-based flat sensor(Ti_(3)C_(2)),the interlocked sensor exhibits a significantly improved pressure sensitivity of two magnitudes higher(21.04 kPa^(-1)),a fast reaction speed of 31 ms,and an excellent cycle life of 5000 test runs.The viability of sensor in responding to various external stimuli with high deformation capacity has been confirmed by calculating the force distribution of a polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)film model with a microlens structure using the solid mechanics module in COMSOL.Unlike conventional process,we utilized three-dimensional(3D)laser-direct writing lithography equipment to directly transform high-precision 3D data into a micro-nano structure morphology through variable exposure doses,which reduces the hot melting step.Moreover,the flexible pressure device is capable of detecting and distinguishing signals ranging from finger movements to human pulses,even for speech recognition.This simple,convenient,and large-format lithographic method offers new opportunities for developing novel human-computer interaction devices.

Crack Quantification of Bolted Joints by Using a Parallelogram Eddy Current Array Sensing Film

Crack monitoring at the bolt hole edge is one of the important focuses of aircraft structural health monitoring.In this study,a novel eddy current sensing film based on a parallelogram coil array is developed to quantitatively monitor the crack characteristics near the bolt hole with fewer layers and coils,compared with the existing methods.The parallelogram coil array configuration is designed and optimized to improve the quantitative monitoring ability of the crack.A 3×3 parallelogram coil array is used to quantify the crack parameters of aluminum bolted joints.Finite element simulation and experiments show that the proposed parallelogram coil array could not only accurately and quantitatively identify the crack angle at the edge of the bolt hole,but also track the crack length along the radial direction of the bolt hole and the depth along the axial direction.

Neural circuits and temporal plasticity in hindlimb representation of rat primary somatosensory cortex:revisited by multi-electrode array on brain slices

Objective The well-established planar multi-electrode array recording technique was used to investigate neural circuits and temporal plasticity in the hindlimb representation of the rat primary somatosensory cortex （S1 area） . Methods Freshly dissociated acute brain slices of rats were subject to constant perfusion with oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid （95% O2 and 5% CO2） , and were mounted on a Med64 probe （64 electrodes, 8×8 array） for simultaneous multi-site electrophysiological recordings. Current sources and sinks across all the 64 electrodes were transformed into two-dimensional current source density images by bilinear interpolation at each point of the 64 electrodes. Results The local intracortical connection, which is involved in mediation of downward information flow across layers II-VI, was identified by electrical stimulation （ES） at layers II-III. The thalamocortical connection, which is mainly involved in mediation of upward information flow across layers II-IV, was also characterized by ES at layer IV. The thalamocortical afferent projections were likely to make more synaptic contacts with S1 neurons than the intracortical connections did. Moreover, the S1 area was shown to be more easily activated and more intensively innervated by the thalamocortical afferent projections than by the intracortical connections. Finally, bursting conditioning stimulus （CS） applied within layer IV of the S1 area could success-fully induce long-term potentiation （LTP） in 5 of the 6 slices （83.3%） , while the same CS application at layers II-III induced no LTP in any of the 6 tested slices. Conclusion The rat hindlimb representation of S1 area is likely to have at least 2 patterns of neural circuits on brain slices： one is the intracortical circuit （ICC） formed by interlaminar connections from layers II-III, and the other is the thalamocortical circuit （TCC） mediated by afferent connections from layer IV. Besides, ICC of the S1 area is spatially limited, with less plasticity, while TCC is spatially extensive and exhibits a better plasticity in response to somatosensory afferent stimulation. The present data provide a useful experimental model for further studying microcircuit properties in S1 cortex at the network level in vitro.

Differential effects of long and short train theta burst stimulation on LTP induction in rat anterior cingulate cortex slices:Multi-electrode array recordings

Objective There is substantial evidence supporting the notion that the anterior cingulate cortex （ACC） is an important limbic structure involved in multiple brain functions such as sensory perception, motor conflict monitoring, memory, emotion and cognition. It has been shown that long term potentiation （LTP） is an important synaptic model of neural plasticity in the ACC, however, little is known about the spatiotemporal properties of ACC at network level. The present study was designed to see the LTP induction effects across different layers of the ACC by using different conditioning stimuli （CS） protocols. Methods A unique multi-electrode array recording technique was used in the acutely-dissociated ACC slices of rats. Long and short train theta burst stimulation （TBS） paradigms were applied in layer V-VI as the CS and the LTP induction effects were compared across different layers of the ACC. Briefly, both long and short train TBS are composed of bursts （4 pulses at 100 Hz） with a 200 ms interval, however, the former （TBS1） was with 10 trains and the latter （TBS2） was with 5 trains. After test stimulation at layer V-VI in the ACC, network field potentials （FPs） could be simultaneously recorded across all layers of the ACC. Results The waveforms of FPs were different across different layers. Namely, positive-going waveforms were recorded in layer I and negative-going waveforms were recorded in layers V-VI, in contrast, complex waveforms were localized mainly in layers II-III. Following application of two CS protocols, the induction rate of LTP was significantly different between TBS 1 and TBS2 regardless of the spatial properties. TBS1 had more than 60% success, while TBS2 was less than 25% in induction of LTP. Moreover, both the 2 CS protocols could induce LTP in layers II-III and layers V-VI without layer-related difference. However, no LTP was inducible in layer I. Conclusion The present findings indicate that stimulation protocols may, at least in part, account for a large portion of variations among previous LTP studies, and hence highlight the importance of selecting the best LTP induction protocol when designing such experiments. Moreover, the present results demonstrate the prominent superiority of multi-electrode array recording in revealing the network properties of synaptic activities in the ACC, especially in comparing the spatiotemporal characteristics between different layers of this structure.

Ultra-Thin Flexible Eddy Current Sensor Array for Gap Measurements

An ultra-thin flexible eddy current proximity sensor array was developed for online measurements of tiny gaps between large smooth metallic and nonmetallic surfaces of arbitrary shapes. The probe of the flexible eddy current sensor array, which includes a set of sensor coils, is fabricated on a thin flexible substrate using the flexible printed circuit board process which allows the probe to be very thin and flexible so that it can conform to the surface geometry of the measured objects. The sensor coils are connected to an inductance-capacitance oscillator, which converts the distance between the sensor coil and the metallic target to a frequency output. Experimental results show that the measurement accuracy of the sensor system can reach ±0.5% for a 2-mm gap and the sensor system is suitable for online gap measurements.

World’s first spaceflight on-orbit demonstration of a flexible solar array system based on shape memory polymer composites

With a 10%reversible compressive strain in more than 10 deformation cycles,the shape memory polymer composites(SMPCs)could be used for deployable structure and releasing mechanism.In this paper,without traditional electro-explosive devices or motors/controllers,the deployable SMPC flexible solar array system(SMPC-FSAS)is studied,developed,ground-based tested,and finally on-orbit validated.The epoxy-based SMPC is used for the rolling-out variable-stiffness beams as a structural frame as well as an actuator for the flexible blanket solar array.The releasing mechanism is primarily made of the cyanate-based SMPC,which has a high locking stiffness to withstand 50 g gravitational acceleration and a large unlocking displacement of 10 mm.The systematical mechanical and thermal qualification tests of the SMPC-FSAS flight hardware were performed,including sinusoidal sweeping vibration,shocking,acceleration,thermal equilibrium,thermal vacuum cycling,and thermal cycling test.The locking function of the SMPC releasing mechanisms was in normal when launching aboard the SJ20 Geostationary Satellite on 27 Dec.,2019.The SMPC-FSAS flight hardware successfully unlocked and deployed on 5 Jan.,2020 on geostationary orbit.The triggering signal of limit switches returned to ground at the 139 s upon heating,which indicated the successful unlocking function of SMPC releasing mechanisms.A pair of epoxy-based SMPC rolled variable-stiffness tubes,which clapped the flexible blanket solar array,slowly deployed and finally approached an approximate 100%shape recovery ratio within 60 s upon heating.The study and on-orbit successful validation of the SMPC-FSAS flight hardware could accelerate the related study and associated productions to be used for the next-generation releasing mechanisms as well as space deployable structures,such as new releasing mechanisms with low-shocking,testability and reusability,and ultra-large space deployable solar arrays.

Ultra-sensitive flexible Ga_(2)O_(3)solar-blind photodetector array realized via ultra-thin absorbing medium

The quest for solar-blind photodetectors with outstanding optoelectronic properties and weak signals detection capability is essential for their applications in the field of imaging,communication,warning,etc.To date,Ga_(2)O_(3)has demonstrated potential for high-performance solar-blind photodetectors.However,the performance usually decays superlinearly at low light intensities due to carrier-trapping effect,which limits the weak signal detection capability of Ga_(2)O_(3)photodetectors.Herein,a Ga_(2)O_(3)solarblind photodetector with ultra-thin absorbing medium has been designed to restrain trapping of photo-generated carriers during the transporting process by shortening the carrier transport distance.Meanwhile,multiple-beam interference is employed to enhance the absorption efficiency of the Ga_(2)O_(3)layer using an Al/Al_(2)O_(3)/Ga_(2)O_(3)structure.Based on the ultra-thin absorbing medium with enhanced absorption efficiency,a 7×7 flexible photodetector array is developed,and the detectivity can reach 1.7×10^(15)Jones,which is among the best values ever reported for Ga_(2)O_(3)photodetectors.Notably,the performance of the photodetector decays little as the illumination intensity is as weak as 5 nW/cm2,revealing the capacity to detect ultra-weak signals.In addition,the flexible photodetector array can execute the functions of imaging,spatial distribution of light source intensity,real-time light trajectory detection,etc.Our results may provide a route to high-performance solar-blind photodetectors for ultra-weak light detection.

Flexible Ultrasonic Phased-Array Probe

In ultrasonic phased-array testing, most probes are rigid with fixed elements. However, when testing a cambered piece, a rigid probe cannot be used directly, but an ultrasonic chock or coupling media must be used, which adds cost and reduces the accuracy. The objective of this research was to improve the tests of cambered pieces. A flexible ultrasonic phased-array probe was developed to do the flexible phased- array testing. The key technologies in the flexible phased-array probe include the probe design and the phased-array control. A new method was developed to design the flexible probe according to the curvature of the piece and the test depth. The method includes the calculation of the element’s height (he), the relative rotation angle (ωe), the distance between the adjoining elements (de), and the element’s effective testing range. A flexible ultrasonic phased-array probe has been developed using this method.

Optimal array alignment to deliver high performance in flexible conducting polymer-based thermoelectric devices

Flexible thermoelectric devices(F-TEDs)show great potentials to be applied in curved surface for power generation by harvesting low-grade energy from human body and other heat sources.However,their power generation efficiency is constrained by both unsatisfactory constituent materials performance and immature device design.Here,we used an optimal alignment of vertically-aligned poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)polystyrene sulfonate(PEDOT:PSS)arrays to assemble a 2.7×3.2 cm^(2)F-TEDs,exhibiting a maximum power output of 10.5μW.Such a high performance can be ascribed to the outstanding power factor of 198μW m^(-1)K^(-2)by the synergetic effect of both high charge mobility and optimal oxidation level and the optimized array alignment that maximizes the temperature difference utilization ratio across the TE legs.Particularly,optimized leg distance of 6 mm and leg length of 12 mm are determined to realize a high temperature difference utilization ratio of over 95%and a record-high output power density of 1.21μW cm^(-2)under a temperature difference of 30 K.Further,reliable bending(1000 cycles)and stability(240 h)tests indicate the outstanding mechanical robustness and environmental stability of the developed F-TEDs.This study indicates our reasonable device design concept and facile material treatment techniques secure high-performance F-TEDs,serving as a reference for other flexible energy harvesting devices with wide practical applications.

Spinal deformity measurement using a low-density flexible array ultrasound transducer:A feasibility study with phantoms

Spinal deformities assessment using 3D ultrasound scanning has limitations in fitting onto different back surface contour as well as fitting within the gaps between subject and their spinal brace during bracing assessments.The study proposed a flexible array ultrasound transducer to overcome these limitations.The results demonstrated the feasibility of spinal deformity assessments with a flexible ultrasound array when arranged in four shapes,namely Linear,Concave,Convex,and S-shaped.For comparisons of imaging performance on spinous process using the four shapes,Convex and S-shaped transducer showed a depth dependence and lateral location dependence of the lateral intensity distribution of spinous process,respectively.S-shaped transducer had the least accurate prediction of the location of spinous process,with measurement error of 4.8
3.2 mm,it also showed poorer prediction on spinal curvature measurements.This is suggested to be due to the asymmetrical distortion to the spinous process due to the lateral location dependence of the image.However,the coronal curve prediction of spine phantom performed well with R-squared values of>0.97 in all transducer shapes.The results of this study paved the way for further investigation on the improvement of image quality and measurement accuracy under different shapes for the flexible array,mechanism of dynamic shape change during the scanning to fit different body contour,as well as extension from 1D to 2D flexible array.

CVD growth of perovskite/graphene films for high-performance flexible image sensor

Hybrid perovskite possesses excellent photoelectric properties,including large light-absorption capacity and high carrier mobility,and is an ideal light-absorbing material for photoelectric devices.The grain size and compactness of hybrid perovskite are key factors affecting the performance of photoelectric devices.The photocurrent and photoresponsivity of these devices are relatively low because of the rapidly recombined photoexcited electron-hole pairs in hybrid perovskite.Herein,we develop a facile two-step chemical vapor deposition(CVD)method to synthesize a high-quality van der Waals(vd Ws)MAPb I3/graphene heterostructure for high-performance image sensor.We introduced inorganic sources(PbI2)to vd Ws epitaxially grown Pb I2 film on a seamless graphene monolayer film template through CVD.Methylammonium iodide(MAI)was then reintroduced to prepare the vd Ws MAPb I3/graphene heterostructure.The MAPb I3 layer is composed of densely packed,large-size grains and displays a smooth surface.High photoresponsivity of 107A/W is achieved in the corresponding photodetector.Inspired by the human visual system,we designed a flexible photodetector array containing(24?24)pixels,achieving perfect image recognition and color discrimination.Our study may greatly facilitate the construction of high-performance optoelectronic devices in artificial retina,biomedical imaging,remote sensing,and optical communication.

Paired associative stimulation improves synaptic plasticity and functional outcomes after cerebral ischemia

Paired associative stimulation is a relatively new non-invasive brain stimulation technique that combines transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. The effects of paired associative stimulation on the excitability of the cerebral cortex can vary according to the time interval between the transcranial magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation. We established a model of cerebral ischemia in rats via transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. We administered paired associative stimulation with a frequency of 0.05 Hz 90 times over 4 weeks. We then evaluated spatial learning and memory using the Morris water maze. Changes in the cerebral ultra-structure and synaptic plasticity were assessed via transmission electron microscopy and a 64-channel multi-electrode array. We measured mRNA and protein expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 in the hippocampus using a real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay. Paired associative stimulation treatment significantly improved learning and memory in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia. The ultra-structures of synapses in the CA1 area of the hippocampus in rats subjected to cerebral ischemia were restored by paired associative stimulation. Long-term potentiation at synapses in the CA3 and CA1 regions of the hippocampus was enhanced as well. The protein and mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 increased after paired associative stimulation treatment. These data indicate that paired associative stimulation can protect cog-nition after cerebral ischemia. The observed effect may be mediated by increases in the mRNA and protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1, and by enhanced synaptic plasticity in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. The animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, China(approval No. TJ-A20151102) on July 11, 2015.

Utilization of electroless plating to prepare Cu-coated cotton cloth electrode for flexible Li-ion batteries

Flexible,lightweight and high conductivity substrates are required for the development of next-generation flexible Li-ion batteries(LIBs).In addition,the interfacial strength between the active material and flexible substrate should be optimized for high-performance LIBs.Herein,cotton cloth(CC)is employed as a flexible substrate,and electroless plating is utilized to deposit a layer of Cu nanoparticles,which enhances the conductivity of CC and acts as a precursor for the active material,i.e.,CuO.The results reveal that the in situ etching and subsequent heat treatment converted Cu film into CuO nanowires on CC substrate.Moreover,carbon nano tubes(CNTs)are introduced to enhance the connectivity of CuO nano wires.Consequently,the CuO/CNT/CC electrode rendered a high areal capacity of>700μAh-cm^(-2)after100 charge/discharge cycles as well as excellent rate capability.The current work presents a novel route to develop desirable substrates for next-generation flexible Li-ion batteries.