Long-Lived Flexible Silicon Carbide Electronics for Cell Recording and In Situ Hyperthermia

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Bioelectronics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Silicon carbide (SiC) offers excellent chemical stability, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility.
• Developing robust bioelectronic interfaces for in vivo applications requires materials with long-term structural and functional integrity under physiological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a flexible, long-lived silicon carbide (SiC) electrode system for simultaneous cell sensing and hyperthermia induction.
• To evaluate the electrode system's performance, efficiency, and longevity in the context of breast cancer cell treatment.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a flexible SiC electrode system.
• Assessment of electrical measurements for breast cancer cell sensing.
• Evaluation of in situ hyperthermia treatment for cell elimination.
• Accelerated aging tests in phosphate-buffered saline (1× PBS) at elevated temperatures to determine electrode longevity.

Main Results:

• The SiC electrode demonstrated robust performance in sensing and stimulation under physiological conditions.
• Efficient heat generation and transfer were observed for in situ hyperthermia treatment, leading to cell elimination.
• Accelerated aging tests confirmed the long-term stability of electrical signals and sustained biocompatibility.
• The electrode maintained structural and functional integrity throughout the experiments.

Conclusions:

• The developed SiC electrode system is a promising candidate for long-lived implanted bioelectronic interfaces.
• Its combination of flexibility, durability, and biocompatibility supports its use in advanced biomedical applications.
• This technology holds potential for improved cancer therapy and in vivo monitoring.