Conductive plastics or polymers are relatively new materials. Its predecessor is common in televisions and mobiles phoness based on organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Different from metal based devices and circuits, the polymer is flexible, easy to mass production and biocompatible.
The conductive plastic is made from the earth's rich elements (carbon, nitrogen and oxygen) and can also be made by "ink printing". Collins's material has two other important properties: it can transmit electronic and ionic signals, which are the main mode of transmission of neurons in the brain. These characteristics are also crucial for the materials in the battery.
So far, polymer based electronic materials have been lack of in-depth understanding. How does their nanostructure affect their performance? How to optimize their performance? Because they are composed of low-density carbon and other trace elements, and they are difficult to study on the nanoscale.
Collins said: "in order to get materials that can connect with the brain and are sensitive enough to detect weak neural activity ion signals, then convert these signals into electrical signals that can be read by computers. Unfortunately, few of these non-toxic commercial materials can do it. Our research may be the key to the development of conductive polymer materials in the future. "
Collins studies the relationship between physical nanostructures and electrical properties of conducting polymers. A novel resonance light scattering technique developed by the researchers of the National Institute of standards and technology can uniquely detect the molecular arrangement of nano polymer materials. Using this technique, he can reveal how to control and customize the arrangement of molecules. At Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, his job is to direct the use of advanced light sources. The collaborators of Bioelectronics at Ecole national supe ′ rieure des mines in France use a new method to measure the conductivity of electrons and ions respectively, so as to determine which molecules perform best in configuration.
"Devices based on these materials could lead to a medical breakthrough similar to the latest report on limb resurrection (Ian Burkhart, Ohio, replanted his fingers after five years of paralysis with a new neuron implant)," Collins said. ) Our ability to detect nanostructures and properties of polymers can optimize material properties with a range of new technologies. "
This material can also be used for better next generation battery energy storage technology, and may also be used in other aspects in the future.
The research results have been published in nature Communication Monthly edition.