Theory and Realization of Bioinspired Polyelectrolyte-Based Soft Matter Circuits
Abstract
We will synthetically realize environmentally responsive soft matter circuit elements and, with the assistance of continuum models, simultaneously discover a set of quantitative relations to describe these elements. This work will produce inherently biocompatible soft matter firmware possessing highly non-linear and dynamic features. Circuit design to date has been primarily based upon metal and semiconductor substrates – inherently hard materials with features that have minimal similarity to or compatibility with biosystems. Biosystems have a diverse set of highly nonlinear and environmentally responsive features within underlying circuitry (e.g. neurons, membrane ion channels) that operate via ion transport and storage. While these systems have been extensively studied within biomechanical contexts, few reduced order circuit models have been developed. Moreover, soft ionic conducting material development has primarily been focused on maximizing conductivity for use as electrochemical conversion and storage device membranes. As a result of the foregoing prevailing conditions, progress in wetware has been limited: hampered by the disparate knowledge bases. The proposed work will lead to revolutionary ways of thinking about ionic circuit design. Further, this work will utilize and advance a wide range of fields including polymer chemistry, biomaterials, electrochemistry, and computer engineering. We will maximize our impact by making all ionic circuit modeling simulation and analysis software freely available on GitHub. Directly, a library of materials will be produced that can be used for direct drive of soft matter actuators and that can naturally incorporate soft matter sensors. These materials will form a novel substrate for wetware logic within emerging computational interfaces to biological systems. We are requesting $250K for each of years 1 and 2 and $482K for the year 3 option. This budget will primarily be directed to funding personnel, secondary portions will support equipment purchases in year 1 and materials and supplies for the experimental components of the work.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 17, 2020
- Source ID
- HR00112010004
Entities
People
- Meredith N Silberstein
Organizations
- Cornell University
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency