Electronic platforms that are able to re-shape and assume different geometries are attractive for the advancing biomedical technologies, where the re-shaping feature increases the adaptability and compliance of the electronic platform to the human body. In this thesis, we present a serpentine-honeycomb reconfigurable electronic platform that has the ability to reconfigure into five different geometries: quatrefoil, ellipse, diamond, star and one irregular geometry. We show the fabrication processes of the serpentine-honeycomb reconfigurable platform in a micro-scale, using amorphous silicon, and in a macro-scale using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The chosen materials are biocompatible, where the silicon was selected due to its superior electrical properties while the PDMS was selected due to its unique mechanical properties. We study the tensile strain for both fabricated-versions of the design and we demonstrate their reconfiguring capabilities. The resulting reconfiguring capabilities of the serpentine-honeycomb reconfigurable platform broaden the innovation opportunity for wearable electronics, implantable electronics and soft robotics.

This thesis investigates inkjet printing of fully-integrated modules fabricated on organic substrates as a system-level solution for ultra-low-cost and eco-friendly mass production of wireless sensor modules. Prototypes are designed and implemented in both traditional FR-4 substrate and organic substrate. The prototype on organic substrate is referred to as a Smart Wireless Integrated Module (SWIM). Parallels are drawn between FR-4 manufacturing and inkjet printing technology, and recommendations are discussed to enable the potential of inkjet printing technology. Finally, this thesis presents novel applications of SWIM technology in the area of wearable and implantable electronics. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to inkjet printing technology on organic substrates, wireless sensor networks (WSNs), and the requirements for low-power consumption, low-cost, and eco-friendly technology. Chapter 2 discusses the design of SWIM and its implementation using traditional manufacturing techniques on FR-4 substrate. Chapter 3 presents a benchmark prototype of SWIM on paper substrate. Challenges in the manufacturing process are addressed, and solutions are proposed which suggest future areas of research in inkjet printing technology. Chapter 4 presents novel applications of SWIM technology in the areas of implantable and wearable electronics. Chapter 5 concludes the thesis by discussing the importance of this work in creating a bridge between current inkjet printing technology and its future.

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Traditional fabrication methods used to manufacture biosensors for physiological, therapeutics, or health monitoring purposes are complex and rely on costly materials, which has hindered their adoption as single-use medical devices. The development of a new kind of wearable and implantable electronics relying on inexpensive materials for their manufacturing will pave the way towards the ubiquitous adoption of sticker-like health tracking devices.<div>One of growing and most promising applications for biosensors is the continuous health monitoring using mechanically soft, stretchable sensors. While these healthcare devices showed an excellent compatibility with human tissues, they still need highly trained personnel to perform multi-step, prolonged fabrication for several functioning layers of the device. In this dissertation, I propose low-cost, scalable, simple, and rapid manufacturing techniques to fabricate multifunctional epidermal and implantable sensors to monitor a range of biosignals including heart, muscle, or eye activity to characterizing of biofuids such as sweat. I have also used these devices as an implant to provide heat therapy for muscle regeneration and optical stimulation of neurons using optogenetics. These devices have also combined with those of triboelectric<br>nanogenerators to realize self-powered sensors for monitoring imperceptible mechanical biosignals such as respiratory and pulse rate.</div><div>Food health and safety has also emerged as another important frontier to develop biosensors and improve the human health and quality of life. The recent progresses on detecting microbial activity inside foods or their packages rely on development of highly functional materials. The existing materials for fabrication of food sensors, however,<br>are often costly and toxic for human health or the environment. In this dissertation, I proposed biocompatible food sensors using protein/PCL microfibers to reinforce the protein microfibrous structure in humid conditions and exploit their excellent hygroscopic properties to sense biogenic gas, as an indicator for early detection of food spoilage. Finally, my battery-free food sensors are capable of monitoring food safety with no need of extra measurement devices. Collectively, this dissertation proposes cost-effective solutions to solve human health issues, enabled by developing low-cost, functional materials and exploiting simple fabrication techniques.<br></div>