engleski

Optoelectronic Cellular Interfaces with Nanocrystalline Organic Semiconductors

Optical stimulation of neurons offers spatial and temporal resolution combined with simplicity and minimal invasiveness. We focus on developing novel optoelectronic techniques in applied medicine, for selective peripheral or central nervous therapeutics, and implants such as retinal prostheses. Our approaches are based on efficient nanoscale semiconducting optoelectronic system optimized for neuronal stimulation. The devices comprise semiconducting organic nanocrystals. When illuminated in physiological solution, these semiconductor devices operate as photocapacitors transducing light pulses into localized displacement currents that are strong enough to electrically stimulate neurons with safe light intensities, one hundred times below the safe ocular limit at 660 nm. The devices are freestanding, requiring no wiring or external bias, and are stable in physiological conditions. The semiconductor layers are made using ubiquitous and nontoxic commercial pigments via simple and scalable deposition techniques. We present results on the level of single cells, cultured neural networks, explanted tissues, and preliminary in vivo experiments.

organic semiconductors, nanocrystals, optoelectronics, bioelectronics

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