Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
09:39
Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Engineered Injectable Coaxial Supramolecular Hydrogel for a Minimally Invasive Neural Electrode
Yuqi Tao1, Fan Zhang2, Daoyang Zhu1
1MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|June 16, 2026
Summary
Injectable hydrogel electrodes overcome brain-computer interface challenges. These soft, self-healing electrodes mimic brain tissue mechanics, enabling stable, long-term neural signal recording and reducing inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Neuroengineering
- Materials Chemistry
Background:
- Long-term stability of implantable neural electrodes is crucial for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).
- Mechanical mismatch between rigid electrodes and soft neural tissue causes inflammation and signal degradation.
- Existing electrode technologies face challenges in achieving biocompatibility and sustained performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an injectable, mechanically compliant, and electrically robust neural electrode.
- To address the limitations of rigid electrodes in neural interfacing.
- To create a next-generation soft neural interface for stable neural recording.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an injectable coaxial supramolecular hydrogel electrode using host-guest interactions (β-cyclodextrin and adamantane).
- Incorporation of silver nanowires for enhanced electrical conductivity.
- Characterization of hydrogel properties including shear-thinning, self-recovery, and mechanical matching to brain tissue.
- In vivo implantation in a rat model for assessing performance over 14 days.
Main Results:
- The hydrogel exhibited shear-thinning and rapid self-recovery, allowing minimally invasive injection and in situ electrode formation.
- Tunable supramolecular crosslinking achieved tissue-matched mechanical properties, mitigating electrode-tissue mismatch.
- Silver nanowire incorporation resulted in low impedance and stable electrochemical performance.
- In vivo tests showed stable impedance and reliable neural signal recording for 14 days, capturing evoked responses and epileptic activity.
Conclusions:
- Developed injectable, mechanically compliant, and electrically robust hydrogel neural electrodes.
- Demonstrated the potential of supramolecular chemistry for creating advanced neural interfaces.
- This approach offers a versatile strategy for next-generation soft neural interfaces with improved long-term stability and performance.
