Biodegradable and flexible artificial nociceptor based on Mg/MgO threshold switching memristor

As an important receptor located in the skin, a nociceptor is capable of detecting noxious stimuli and sending warning signals to the central nervous system to avoid tissue damage, thus inspiring the development of artificial nociceptors for electronic receptors. Recently, memristors have attracted increasing attention for developing artificial nociceptors due to the simplicity of the artificial nociceptive system. However, the realization of artificial nociceptors with biocompatibility and biodegradability in a single memristive device remains a challenge. Herein, a fully biocompatible and biodegradable threshold switching (TS) memristor consisting of W/MgO/Mg/W configuration was proposed as an artificial nociceptor. The device showed unidirectional TS characteristics with stable electrical performance under bending conditions. Critical nociceptor behaviors, including threshold, relaxation, no adaptation, allodynia, and hyperalgesia, were successfully demonstrated in the memristive nociceptor. Meanwhile, an optoelectronic nociceptor system was built by the integration of a photoresistor and the memristor. Importantly, the devices transferred on a biodegradable polyvinyl acetate substrate as physically transient electronics could completely dissolve in deionized water, simulating the decomposition of skin necrosis. This study provides a novel route toward developing fully biocompatible and biodegradable artificial nociceptors for promising applications in implantable and wearable electronics and secure bio-integrated systems.

Automated summary

In this study, a fully biocompatible and biodegradable threshold switching (TS) memristor was proposed as an artificial nociceptor. The device exhibited stable electrical performance even under bending conditions. Important nociceptor behaviors were successfully demonstrated, and an optoelectronic nociceptor system was built. The devices, made on a biodegradable substrate, could completely dissolve in deionized water, mimicking the decomposition of necrotic tissue. This research provides a novel approach for developing fully biocompatible and biodegradable artificial nociceptors for applications in implantable and wearable electronics and bio-integrated systems.