Brain Wave‐Like Signal Modulator by Ionic Nanochannel Rectifier Bridges

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2022-09, Vol.18 (35), p.e2203104-n/a
• Main Authors: Lu, Bingxin, Xiao, Tianliang, Zhang, Caili, Jiang, Jiaqiao, Wang, Yuting, Diao, Xungang, Zhai, Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum oxide; Bioelectricity; Bionics; Brain; brain wave‐like signal modulation; Circuits; Ion channels; Ion currents; Ion transport; ionic rectifier bridges; Ions; light‐response; Modulation; Nanochannels; Nanotechnology; Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) equations; Rectifiers; smart nanochannels; Spiropyrans; Transport properties; Working conditions
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203104

Smart modulation of bioelectric signals is of great significance for the development of brain‐computer interfaces, bio‐computers, and other technologies. The regulation and transmission of bioelectrical signals are realized through the synergistic action of various ion channels in organisms. The bionic nanochannels, which have similar physiological working environment and ion rectification as their biological counterparts, can be used to construct ion rectifier bridges to modulate the bioelectric signals. Here, the artificial smart ionic rectifier bridge with light response is constructed by anodic aluminum oxide (AAO)/poly (spiropyran acrylate) (PSP) nanochannels. The output ion current of the rectifier bridge can be switched between “ON” and “OFF” states by irradiation with UV and visible (Vis) light, and the conversion efficiency (η) of the system in “ON” state is ≈70.5%. The controllable modulation of brain wave‐like signal can be realized by ionic rectifier bridge. The ion transport properties and processes of ion rectifier bridges are explained using theoretical calculations based on Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) equations. These findings have significant implications for the understanding of the intelligent ionic circuit and combination of artificial smart ionic channels to organisms, which provide new avenues for development of intelligent ion devices. Constructing light‐response ionic rectifier bridge with smart nanochannels is reported to develop the brain wave‐like signal modulation. The ionic rectifier bridge shows the controllable modulation of biological wave, with switching of “ON” and “OFF” states by irradiation with UV and Vis light, respectively. This work provides promising potentials for development of combination of intelligent ionic devices and organisms.