Soft and self-healing materials for neural stimulation

Recently, soft bioelectronics have provided novel functionality to various kinds of device application. Neural stimulation and recording techniques play a critical role in understanding the complex functioning of the nervous system and developing effective therapies for neurological disorders. However, the use of conventional rigid materials in these applications often leads to limited biocompatibility, mechanical mismatch, and chronic tissue damage. In term of these requirements, alternative materials that offer softness, flexibility, and self-healing capabilities to improve the performance and longevity of neural interfaces have been developed for many years. In this paper, we review the development of soft and self-healing materials tailored for neural stimulation and recording applications. These new kinds of materials exhibit exceptional mechanical compliance, enabling seamless integration with the soft and dynamic neural tissues. They possess inherent stretch ability, allowing them to conform to the intricate shapes of the neural environment without causing excessive strain or mechanical trauma. Moreover, the self-healing properties of materials are a key feature, enabling them to autonomously repair any microscale damages caused by chronic usage or tissue movement. This property extends the functional lifespan of the neural interfaces, ensuring long-term reliability and minimizing the need for frequent replacements.