Stretchable and neuromorphic transistors for pain perception and sensitization emulation

Area of Science:

• Biomimetic electronics
• Neuro-engineering
• Materials science

Background:

• Pain perception nociceptors (PPN) are crucial sensory neurons that signal harmful stimuli.
• Artificial PPN are vital for AI devices mimicking human environmental perception and injury avoidance.
• Existing artificial PPN lack the stretchability required for applications like bionic skin or prosthetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a stretchable artificial pain perception nociceptor (NAPPN).
• To enable NAPPN to replicate key pain aspects: threshold, sensitization, and desensitization.
• To demonstrate the device's functionality and wearability in real-world scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an organic semiconductor nanofiber-based artificial PPN.
• Implementation of a pre-stretching strategy to enhance device elasticity.
• Testing of synaptic behaviors and injury warning capabilities under mechanical strain.
• Verification of device performance on a curved human finger joint.

Main Results:

• The NAPPN successfully mimicked threshold, sensitization, and desensitization pain behaviors.
• The device maintained its synaptic behaviors and injury warning ability while stretched up to 50%.
• Functional mimicry of PPN behaviors was demonstrated on a human finger joint, confirming wearability.

Conclusions:

• A stretchable NAPPN using organic nanofibers was successfully developed.
• The pre-stretching strategy enables robust pain sensing in deformed electronic devices.
• This technology offers a promising pathway for neural sensing in mobile and deformable electronics.