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Ultrathin, Plasmonic Schottky Biointerfaces For Wireless Stimulation And Sensing

Published:
Lead Inventor: Bozhi Tian
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SUMMARY

A plasmon-enhanced hierarchical gold–titania (Au-TiO₂) Schottky junction biointerface designed for wireless, energy-efficient biological stimulation (neuromodulation, cardiac pacing), real-time biosensing, and minimally invasive artificial vision. The platform is scalable, CMOS-free, and highly robust against biological degradation.

 

The Unmet Need: New semiconductors with improved poor optical efficiency, implant stability, and simpler fabrication methods

  • Biologically integrated electronic devices are revolutionizing diagnostics and therapeutics, but today’s p–n junction and silicon-based platforms often require thick, rigid layers, struggle to absorb light efficiently, and degrade quickly within the body. Porous silicon approaches improve surface area but suffer from rapid dissolution and scalability issues. Meanwhile, wireless, minimally invasive interfaces are increasingly needed for chronic neurological, cardiac, and metabolic disorders, yet legacy systems rely on bulky hardware and complex circuitry. Recent advances in plasmonics enable intense electromagnetic field concentration at nanostructured metal–semiconductor interfaces, bringing new possibilities for wireless stimulation at ultralow power.

 

The Proposed Solution: A plasmon-enhanced Au–TiO₂ Schottky junction capable of energy-efficient stimulation and high-resolution, real-time biosensing in a scalable, flexible, CMOS-free architecture

  • The faculty inventor developed utilized plasmon-enhanced, hierarchical gold–titania (Au–TiO₂) Schottky junctions shaped into metasurfaces via scalable, low-temperature fabrication. The architecture leverages localized surface plasmon resonance to deliver efficient hot-carrier generation and precise photoelectrochemical stimulation, while providing robust, broadband optical absorption and exceptional chemical stability. Core functionalities include wireless neural and cardiac modulation at ultralow light intensity, real-time biosensing for analytes like glucose and cytokines, and pixel-less spatial pattern recognition for artificial vision-all enabled in an ultrathin (sub-100 nm), flexible, and implant-friendly platform.

ADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES

  • Ultralow stimulation power (<2mW/mm2) and sub-millisecond response

  • Biostable, bioinert materials suitable for chronic implant

  • Scalable, CMOS-free fabrication compatible with flexible substrates

  • Dual capability: stimulation and biosensing in a single platform

  • Robust, repeatable interface for clinical and consumer use

APPLICATIONS

  • Wireless neuromodulation and cardiac pacing devices

  • Implantable and wearable biosensors for metabolic and inflammatory diagnostics

  • Pixel-less bionic retina and spatial pattern recognition for artificial vision

  • Multiplexed environmental and health monitoring platforms

  • Preclinical demonstration completed in cellular and rodent models. Early biosensor validation data for glucose, heavy metals, and cytokines.