A flexible strain-responsive sensor fabricated from a biocompatible electronic ink via an additive-manufacturing process

Biosensor technologies are of great interest for applications in wearable electronics, soft robotics and implantable biomedical devices. To accelerate the adoption electronics chronic recording physiological parameters health disease, there is a demand biocompatible, conductive & flexible materials that can integrate with various tissues while remaining biologically inert. Conventional techniques used to fabricate biosensors, such as mask lithography laser cutting, lack versatility produce easily customisable, micro-fabricated biosensors an efficient, cost-effective manner. In this paper, we describe development characterisation electronic ink made from environmentally sustainable copolymer - ω-pentadecalactone-co-ε-decalactone, (PDL) incorporating silver nanowires (AgNW), which known their antimicrobial properties. The composites were shown possess low percolation threshold (1% w/w AgNW PDL), achieve electrical resistance (320 ± 9 Ω/sq) high capacitance (2.06 0.06 µF/cm2). PDL nanocomposites demonstrated vitro through promotion neural adhesion prevention astrocyte activation. An optimised formulation was subsequently strain-responsive spatial resolution (sub – 100 µm) using direct write additive manufacturing process. Using customized set-up, sensitivity these biologically-relevant strains assessed under simulated conditions 21 days. Critically, 3D printed have prophylactic monitoring pressure changes within body related pathologies.