Development of a Flexible Non-Metal Electrode for Cell Stimulation and Recording

This study presents a method of producing flexible electrodes for potentially simultaneously stimulating and measuring cellular signals in retinal cells. Currently, most multi-electrode applications rely primarily on etching, but the metals involved have a certain degree of brittleness, leaving them...

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Main Authors: Cihun-Siyong Alex Gong, Wun-Jia Syu, Kin Fong Lei, Yih-Shiou Hwang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2016-09-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/16/10/1613
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author Cihun-Siyong Alex Gong
Wun-Jia Syu
Kin Fong Lei
Yih-Shiou Hwang
author_facet Cihun-Siyong Alex Gong
Wun-Jia Syu
Kin Fong Lei
Yih-Shiou Hwang
author_sort Cihun-Siyong Alex Gong
collection DOAJ
description This study presents a method of producing flexible electrodes for potentially simultaneously stimulating and measuring cellular signals in retinal cells. Currently, most multi-electrode applications rely primarily on etching, but the metals involved have a certain degree of brittleness, leaving them prone to cracking under prolonged pressure. This study proposes using silver chloride ink as a conductive metal, and polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) as the substrate to provide electrodes with an increased degree of flexibility to allow them to bend. This structure is divided into the electrode layer made of PDMS and silver chloride ink, and a PDMS film coating layer. PDMS can be mixed in different proportions to modify the degree of rigidity. The proposed method involved three steps. The first segment entailed the manufacturing of the electrode, using silver chloride ink as the conductive material, and using computer software to define the electrode size and micro-engraving mechanisms to produce the electrode pattern. The resulting uniform PDMS pattern was then baked onto the model, and the flow channel was filled with the conductive material before air drying to produce the required electrode. In the second stage, we tested the electrode, using an impedance analyzer to measure electrode cyclic voltammetry and impedance. In the third phase, mechanical and biocompatibility tests were conducted to determine electrode properties. This study aims to produce a flexible, non-metallic sensing electrode which fits snugly for use in a range of measurement applications.
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spelling doaj.art-8f0d91beba9d447c97e464798c49b1072022-12-22T04:23:31ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202016-09-011610161310.3390/s16101613s16101613Development of a Flexible Non-Metal Electrode for Cell Stimulation and RecordingCihun-Siyong Alex Gong0Wun-Jia Syu1Kin Fong Lei2Yih-Shiou Hwang3Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, TaiwanGraduate Institute of Medical Mechatronics, College of Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, TaiwanGraduate Institute of Medical Mechatronics, College of Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, TaiwanDepartment of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan 33304, TaiwanThis study presents a method of producing flexible electrodes for potentially simultaneously stimulating and measuring cellular signals in retinal cells. Currently, most multi-electrode applications rely primarily on etching, but the metals involved have a certain degree of brittleness, leaving them prone to cracking under prolonged pressure. This study proposes using silver chloride ink as a conductive metal, and polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) as the substrate to provide electrodes with an increased degree of flexibility to allow them to bend. This structure is divided into the electrode layer made of PDMS and silver chloride ink, and a PDMS film coating layer. PDMS can be mixed in different proportions to modify the degree of rigidity. The proposed method involved three steps. The first segment entailed the manufacturing of the electrode, using silver chloride ink as the conductive material, and using computer software to define the electrode size and micro-engraving mechanisms to produce the electrode pattern. The resulting uniform PDMS pattern was then baked onto the model, and the flow channel was filled with the conductive material before air drying to produce the required electrode. In the second stage, we tested the electrode, using an impedance analyzer to measure electrode cyclic voltammetry and impedance. In the third phase, mechanical and biocompatibility tests were conducted to determine electrode properties. This study aims to produce a flexible, non-metallic sensing electrode which fits snugly for use in a range of measurement applications.http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/16/10/1613silver inkPDMScellstimulationrecordingflexible
spellingShingle Cihun-Siyong Alex Gong
Wun-Jia Syu
Kin Fong Lei
Yih-Shiou Hwang
Development of a Flexible Non-Metal Electrode for Cell Stimulation and Recording
Sensors
silver ink
PDMS
cell
stimulation
recording
flexible
title Development of a Flexible Non-Metal Electrode for Cell Stimulation and Recording
title_full Development of a Flexible Non-Metal Electrode for Cell Stimulation and Recording
title_fullStr Development of a Flexible Non-Metal Electrode for Cell Stimulation and Recording
title_full_unstemmed Development of a Flexible Non-Metal Electrode for Cell Stimulation and Recording
title_short Development of a Flexible Non-Metal Electrode for Cell Stimulation and Recording
title_sort development of a flexible non metal electrode for cell stimulation and recording
topic silver ink
PDMS
cell
stimulation
recording
flexible
url http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/16/10/1613
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AT kinfonglei developmentofaflexiblenonmetalelectrodeforcellstimulationandrecording
AT yihshiouhwang developmentofaflexiblenonmetalelectrodeforcellstimulationandrecording