Softening and flexible hybrid electronics integration for biomedical applications

This work demonstrates three reliable methods to connect neural stimulation, recording, and modulating technologies to thin film softening bioelectronic devices. These softening devices are manufactured on thiol-based shape memory polymers (SMPs) with photolithographic techniques including gold traces and high charge injection capacity titanium nitride (TiN) electrodes. The charge storage capacity and electrochemical performance of the fabricated devices were compared when interconnected using three different interface methods: surface mounting, ultra-thin chips (UTC), and through-hole substrate etching. Cathodal charge storage capacities above 8 mC/cm 2 are demonstrated while maintaining average impedances less than 1 kΩ at 1 kHz for each interconnect technique. Graphical abstract