Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The ability to control the movement of charged species in the circuitry of living beings and machines is essential for complex signal processing, computation, and, ultimately, higher functionality. We describe a class of photo-ion generators (PIGs) based on non-ionic photoacids that can create large (> 1000x) irreversible changes in ionic conductivity under illumination depending on the PIG species, concentration, and solvent. Incorporation of PIGs into polyurethane rubber by simple swelling methods yields soft (E > 2 MPa), stretchable, photo-ionic gels (PIGels). The resolution of photo-patterned conductivity in PIGels is less than 1 cm and demonstrates stability over several days, suggesting utility in engineered devices. Utilizing this novel class of material, we demonstrate high sensitivity mechanical sensors via conductance changes ([ΔG/G0]/σ = 20 MPa-1) and photo-writable, soft circuitry.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Xu Liu, Steven Adelmund, Shahriar Safaee, Wenyang Pan, Robert Shepherd, Thomas Wallin
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
OpenAlex ID: W7130859485