Three-dimensional Printing of High-Performance Hydrogel Bioelectronic Implants

Three-dimensional Printing of High-Performance Hydrogel Bioelectronic Implants | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Three-dimensional Printing of High-Performance Hydrogel Bioelectronic Implants Yuan Yao, Jianhua Luo, Yue Hui, Jiahua Lyu, Yubin Ke, Wenhao Shen, and 6 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6743538/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Implantable hydrogel bioelectronics are promising candidates for seamlessly bridging biological systems with intelligent devices. However, sustaining stable communication between hydrogel electronics and biological systems in complex physiological environments remains a critical challenge, primarily due to the swelling-induced degradation of mechanical properties of hydrogel encapsulation and reduced electrical performance of the conductive networks. To address this, we developed a micelle-assembly approach to synthesize soft and highly stretchable hydrogels with swelling-resistant performance. Moreover, these hydrogels show alleviated foreign body reactions during long-term implantation, serving as valuable implant materials. Through embedded 3D printing technology, we engineered ultrasoft (~ 40 kPa) and stretchable (over 1,000%) hydrogel electronics with unprecedented conductivity retention in aqueous environment – conductivity over 9,000 S cm-1 post-printing and 4,000 S cm-1 even after swollen. We further printed three different types of invasive implants, including brain-computer interfaces, implantable wirelessly-powered optoelectronics and sciatic nerve stimulators. These devices can either perceive physiological signals or receive electronic orders and respond accordingly with extraordinary robustness and longevity in vivo. We believe that such technological advances hold great promise for the development of human-computer interfaces. Physical sciences/Materials science/Materials for devices/Electronic devices Physical sciences/Chemistry/Materials chemistry/Soft materials/Gels and hydrogels Physical sciences/Materials science/Biomaterials/Implants Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files Supplementaryinformation.pdf Supplementary information SupplementaryVideo1multilayerhydrogeloptoelectronics.mp4 Supplementary Video 1-multilayer hydrogel optoelectronics SupplementaryVideo2multilayerhydrogeloptoelectronicworkingunderstrain.mp4 Supplementary Video 2-multilayer hydrogel optoelectronic working under strain SupplementaryVideo3Implantedhydrogeloptoelectronicdevice.mp4 Supplementary Video 3-Implanted hydrogel optoelectronic device SupplementaryVideo4wirelesspoweredhydrogelstimulatorforratsciaticnerve.mp4 Supplementary Video 4-wireless powered hydrogel stimulator for rat sciatic nerve Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6743538","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":472590784,"identity":"0b5e8cf3-bac0-46d2-98c9-7b3c87437d63","order_by":0,"name":"Yuan 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