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Tissue-adaptive bioelectronic fibers with temperature-induced self-tightening enable ultrastable neural interface
Tao Zhou1, Rouhui Yu1, Xiaowen Bai1
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, China.
Nature Communications
|April 9, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel tissue-adaptive bioelectronic fiber that actively conforms to neural tissue. This innovation enables ultrastable neural interfaces for reliable brain-machine communication and neuromodulation.
Area of Science:
- Bioelectronics
- Neural Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Durable neural interfaces are crucial for brain-machine communication and neuromodulation.
- Conventional electronics struggle to conform to the complex, soft 3D structure of neural tissue, limiting interface stability and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel bioelectronic fiber that actively adapts to and forms stable interfaces with neural tissue.
- To demonstrate the efficacy of this adaptive interface for reliable neural stimulation and recording.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a thermoresponsive, electroactive polymer fiber using wet spinning.
- Characterization of the fiber's mechanical properties (modulus) and thermal transition temperature.
- In vivo testing on rat sciatic nerve to assess tissue conformance, neural stimulation, and signal recording.
Main Results:
- The bioelectronic fiber exhibits an ultralow modulus (0.16 MPa) and a phase transition temperature of 26.7°C.
- Upon contact with neural tissue, the fiber contracts, forming a tight, ultrastable interface.
- Demonstrated reliable hindlimb stimulation and achieved 99.5% signal retention during sciatic nerve action potential recordings.
Conclusions:
- The developed tissue-adaptive bioelectronic fiber offers a significant advancement in creating stable neural-electronic interfaces.
- This technology enables highly reliable neural stimulation and recording, paving the way for improved brain-machine interfaces and neuromodulation therapies.
