Bioelectronics: Emerging trends and applications

Anna-Maria Pappa

Eleonora Macchia

Hong Liu

George Malliaras

The field of bioelectronics has evolved since its conceptual origins in the late 18th century, when Luigi Galvani's experiments on “animal electricity” laid the groundwork for understanding the interface between biology and electronics. Today, combining advanced materials with cutting-edge electronics gives rise to sophisticated systems that can dynamically communicate with biological tissues at various length and complexity levels. As global healthcare systems strive to meet the demands of an aging population, bioelectronics have the potential to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and patient monitoring, paving the way for personalized and precision medicine.

Materials innovation combined with the well established CMOS technology, have driven the evolution of bioelectronic technologies, enabling the development of novel device configurations with unique properties and versatile form factors. From wearable sensors and implantable devices to multifunctional hydrogels and lab-on-chip platforms, each innovation advances the way care is delivered today, while also deepening our fundamental understanding of biological processes.

This issue highlights the latest advances in the field of bioelectronics, focusing on innovative materials, designs, and systems covering fundamental studies as well as emerging applications in wearable, implantable and lab-on-chip formats. In this issue, a wearable device that combines electrophysiology and blood pressure monitoring, shows the potential of bioelectronics for real-time tracking of cardiovascular health in a user-friendly format (https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TC02494J). As on-body bioelectronics gain momentum, adhesiveness and durability remain a challenging aspect which materials innovation can tackle, as shown in another example herein on the development of tough and adhesive hydrogels for robust wearable platforms (https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TC02897J). Alongside wearable electronics, hydrogels are also shown to be injected inside the body offering a minimally invasive way to establish electrical connectivity with neural tissues (https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TB00679H) and can swell and release molecules on demand through electrical stimulation (https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB02592F).

As bioelectronic technologies enable dynamic interactions with biological tissues they can be engineered to deliver active therapeutic interventions. The perspective on the use of implantable multimodal probes for better understanding and eventual treatment of neurological conditions, highlights the critical role of bioelectronic technologies for in vivo pharmacology (https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TB01117A).

Alongside implantable and wearable technology, the use of bioelectronic technologies to advance drug discovery assays should not be overlooked. Combining the latest advancements in bioengineering and tissue engineering with bioelectronics offers high content assays with real-time non-destructive tissue monitoring capabilities, as shown in (https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TB01351D) where the authors describe an advanced mucus barrier model with integrated real-time monitoring of barrier properties.

Last but not least, the way towards more sustainable and biodegradable electronics is shown by combining cellulose with conductive polymer components towards greener bioelectronic materials and fabrication processes (https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TC03264K) or via the synthesis of biodegradable 2D materials for supercapacitors (https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TB00649F).

As bioelectronic technologies continue to advance, they hold the potential to transform healthcare by enabling real-time, non-destructive monitoring of physiological signals. These systems extend to creating dynamic interfaces that enable both precise monitoring and active therapeutic interventions. Their broader adoption in modern healthcare depends on their reliability, accessibility, and equity, as well as on overcoming practical challenges such as regulatory compliance, standardized fabrication protocols, safety and efficacy validation, and ethical considerations regarding device use and patient data. Advances in de novo materials design and synthesis are equally crucial for developing biocompatible, sustainable, multifunctional devices that seamlessly integrate with biological tissues across diverse length scales and complexities. As innovations advance and regulatory barriers are overcome, bioelectronic technologies are poised to deliver personalized and highly effective modern healthcare solutions.

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