Mechanisms for hydrolysis of silicon nanomembranes as used in bioresorbable electronics.

The ability of silicon to dissolve in physiological environments allows its use as the basis of a highperformance inorganic integrated circuit technology for active, bioresorbable implant devices. N. R. Aluru, J. A. Rogers, and co-workers perform systematic experimental and theoretical studies of hydrolysis of silicon nanomembranes at near neutral pH, as described on page 1857. This image shows a molecular-dynamics rendering of nucleophilic attack of a silicon surface immersed in water and the resulting formation of molecules of silicic acid.