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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...

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Liquid Crystalline Polymers: Opportunities to Shape Neural Interfaces.

Rashed Rihani¹, Nishat Tasnim¹, Mahjabeen Javed²

¹Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA.

Neuromodulation : Journal of the International Neuromodulation Society

|January 27, 2021

Summary

Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) offer unique properties for robust neural interfaces. This review explores LCP applications in neural devices, highlighting their potential to overcome limitations of traditional polymers.

Keywords:

Electrode paddle microelectrode microscale polymer stimulation

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Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Neuroengineering
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Traditional polymers used in microscale neural interfaces face challenges like water permeability, delamination, and degradation, limiting device robustness.
Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) possess a unique combination of molecular order and fluidity, offering desirable properties such as low water permeability, chemical inertness, and mechanical toughness.
These properties make LCPs promising candidates for advanced neural interface applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current state-of-the-art of liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) in neural interface applications.
To discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with using LCPs in this field.
To highlight the potential of LCPs to advance the development of robust and high-performance neural interfaces.

Main Methods:

This review focuses on studies utilizing LCP materials for in vivo neural interfacing.
A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

Main Results:

Recent research demonstrates the use of LCPs in various neural interface designs, including planar electrode arrays for retinal prosthetics and electrocorticography, and cuff-like structures for peripheral nerve interfacing.
Efforts are underway to develop penetrating intracortical devices using LCPs for microstimulation and biopotential recording.
Liquid crystal elastomers, a subclass of LCPs, show potential for deployable devices that can interface with larger tissue volumes while minimizing damage.

Conclusions:

Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) present a significant opportunity to develop novel microscale neural interfaces.
The inherent physical properties of LCPs can lead to enhanced integration and performance of neural devices.
Future work will focus on leveraging LCPs for advanced neural interfaces with improved functionality and biocompatibility.