Using 3D printing and hydrogel technology, researchers are moving closer to being able to create devices that better match the human body than the electronic devices currently in use. The researchers say this emerging technology, called soft ionotronics, has the potential to be used to improve wearable and implantable biomedical devices.
It has the potential not only to improve biomedical implants but could also be useful in the development of human-machine interfaces such as touch screens and neural implants. Patients in neuromuscular rehabilitation, for example, could benefit from soft and stretchable strain and pressure sensors that can be adhered to their joints.
“Compared to traditional manual fabrication methods, 3D printed ionic junctions can have much better shape fidelity and smaller sizes. Shape fidelity is important for any device to function in the way it is designed. The smaller size means more ionic junctions can be included in one single device of limited size,” says Ran Huo, lead author on the study and PhD candidate in McGill’s Department of Engineering.