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.

The objective of this research is to introduce two state-of-the-art wireless biomedical systems: (1) a multiband transcutaneous communication system for implantable microelectronic devices (IMDs) and (2) a new wireless power delivery system, called the “EnerCage,” for experiments involving freely-behaving animals. The wireless multiband link for IMDs achieves power transmission via a pair of coils designed for maximum coupling efficiency. The data link is able to handle large communication bandwidth with minimum interference from the power-carrier thanks to its optimized geometry. Wireless data and power links have promising prospects for use in biomedical devices such as biosensors, neural recording, and neural stimulation devices. The EnerCage system includes a stationary unit with an array of coils for inductive power transmission and three-dimensional magnetic sensors for non-line-of-sight tracking of animal subjects. It aims to energize novel biological data-acquisition and stimulation instruments for long-term experiments, without interruption, on freely behaving small animal subjects in large experimental arenas. The EnerCage system has been tested in one-hour in vivo experiment for wireless power and data communication, and the results show the feasibility of this system. The contributions from this research work are summarized as follows: 1. Development of an inductive link model. 2. Development of an accurate PSC models, with parasitic effects for implantable devices. 3. Proposing the design procedure for the inductive link with optimal physical geometry to maximize the PTE. 4. Design of novel antenna and coil geometry for wireless multiband link: power carrier, forward data link, and back telemetry. 5. Development of a model of overlapping PSCs, which can create a homogenous magnetic in a large experimental area for wireless power transmission at a certain coupling distance. 6. Design and optimization for multi-coil link, which can provide optimal load matching for maximum PTE. 7. Design of the wireless power and data communication system for long-term animal experiments, without interruption, on freely behaving small animal subjects in any shape of experimental arenas.

This paper describes the evaluation of screen printed materials fabricated with an additive manufacturing process for flexible biomedical applications. Five different conductive polymeric thick film pastes, printed on a polyimide substrate have been investigated. For the intended biocompatible applications, the cytotoxicity of the used materials was tested through adherent cell test. Furthermore, the electrical resistance, the printed structure thickness, the surface energy and roughness have been examined. Additionally, the mechanical resilience of the printed materials was tested through a bending test. During the bending the electrical resistance of printed meander structures could be monitored indicating failures. Two out of five materials were qualified as non-toxic, all of the materials are useable for flexible electronics, as they provide good electrical and mechanical properties.