Micropyramid structured photo capacitive interfaces

Abstract

Abstract Optically driven electronic neuromodulation devices are a novel tool in basic research and offer new prospects in medical therapeutic applications. Optimal operation of such devices requires efficient light capture and charge generation, effective electrical communication across the device’s bioelectronic interface, conformal adhesion to the target tissue, and mechanical stability of the device during the lifetime of the implant—all of which can be tuned by spatial structuring of the device. We demonstrate a 3D structured opto-bioelectronic device—an organic electrolytic photocapacitor spatially designed by depositing the active device layers on an inverted micropyramid-shaped substrate. Ultrathin, transparent, and flexible micropyramid-shaped foil was fabricated by chemical vapour deposition of parylene C on silicon moulds containing arrays of inverted micropyramids, followed by a peel-off procedure. The capacitive current delivered by the devices showed a strong dependency on the underlying spatial structure. The device performance was evaluated by numerical modelling. We propose that the developed numerical model can be used as a basis for the design of future functional 3D design of opto-bioelectronic devices and electrodes.