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3-Dimensional Bioconstruction Techniques to Connect Electronic and Biological Systems

Project ID: 1307-AL
Available for licensing

Background

Bioelectronic interfaces hold great promise for medicine and research; however, current fabrication methods of electronic or electroactive materials involve expensive lithographic masks, complicated stamping, and chemical etching. The assemblies produced are inherently 2-D and have not proven useful for creating complex 3-D assemblies. The current manufacturing methods for electroactive materials often used as interfaces with biological cells and tissue are limited by the fact that they must be fabricated before the introduction of the biological material.

Invention Description

This is an innovative strategy for microfabrication of electronic materials that can be performed under aqueous conditions promoting compatibility with biological molecules and living cellular systems. These materials offer unique opportunities for in situ placement of electronic and electrochemical inputs/outputs for communicating with biological systems including potential use in the processes of bioassays, bioenergy harvesting, promoting cellular differentiation, manufacturing tissue scaffolds, and neuronal regeneration.

Benefits

Manufacturing process is compatible with biological systems
Allows for in situ fabrication of structures
Can fabricate biocompatible submicron 3-D structures
Complex, multicomponent sensors can be synthesized
Freeform fabrication
Can fabricate bioenergy harvesting and cellular interfacing platform assemblies

Features

This invention represents a strategy for microfabricating electronic and electroactive materials.
The use of direct-write lithography technique offers exceptional promise as a more direct assembly protocol for fabrication of functional bioelectronic elements.
This technique allows for amend ability to accommodate complex shape, structures, and different material assembly chemistries

Market Potential/Applications

This technology relates to some of the fastest growing research and commercialization areas and could appeal to companies involved with: microsurgery tissue engineering microfluidics - sustained release and biosensing devices

Development Stage

Proof of concept

IP Status

One U.S. patent application filed

UT Researcher

Jason B. Shear, Ph.D., Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin
Ryan T. Hill, B.S., Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin
Keith J. Stevenson, Ph.D., Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin
Jennifer L. Lyon, B.S., Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin

OTC Contact Information

Les Nichols, Licensing Specialist
lnichols@otc.utexas.edu
512-471-2995

Web Links

http://research.cm.utexas.edu/jshear/shear_labs.htm