The purpose of this research is to create a biomimetic excitable cell from electroactive polymers, basing its characteristics on the cardiac myocyte. An array of these artificial cells will ultimately be combined to form a synthetic tissue capable of electrical and mechanical wave propagation. This work is novel and its potential applications are very broad, including the creation of peristalti...

Due to the large strain capability, electroactive polymers (EAPs) are promising materials for several engineering applications, for example: they can be used as actuators and sensors in cameras, pumps, valves, etc. Generally speaking, the mode of action in EAPs is based on Coulomb forces generated by electric field that causes the polymer membrane to contract in the thickness direction. In this...

A strategy for fabrication of electroactive nanocomposites with nanoscale organization, based on self-assembly, is reported. Gold nanoparticles are assembled by a polypeptide folding-dependent bridging. The polypeptides are further utilized to recruit and associate with a water soluble conducting polymer. The polymer is homogenously incorporated into the nanocomposite, forming conducting pathwa...

Biodegradable materials are used in packaging, agriculture, medicine and other areas. In recent years there has been an increase in interest in biodegradable polymers. Two classes of biodegradable polymers can be distinguished: synthetic or natural polymers. There are polymers produced from feedstocks derived either from petroleum resources (non renewable resources) or from biological resources...

A highly stretchable neural interface of concurrent robust electrical and mechanical properties is developed with a conducting polymer film as the sole conductor for both the electrodes and the leads. This neural interface offers the benefits of conducting polymer electrodes in a demanding stretchable format, including low electrode impedance and high chargeinjection capacity, due to the large ...