MIT researchers have developed innovative, tiny wireless antennas known as Organic Electro-Scattering Antennas (OCEANs) that utilize light to detect minute electrical signals in liquid environments. This advancement in biosensing technology could revolutionize the monitoring of cell communication and provide crucial insights into medical conditions like arrhythmia and Alzheimer’s disease. Traditional biosensing devices rely on wires to connect electrodes, limiting the information gathered from cells due to the number of connections possible. In contrast, the OCEANs eliminate the need for wires, allowing for high-resolution recordings from thousands of simultaneous sites.
The antennas, made from a polymer called PEDOT:PSS, respond to electrical activity by altering their optical properties, enabling precise measurements of electrical signals. They can continuously record for over ten hours and can detect signals as low as 2.5 millivolts with millisecond response times. The fabrication process, which allows for millions of antennas on a chip, is scalable and adaptable for future applications. Researchers aim to test the devices on real cell cultures and explore their integration into nanophotonic devices, pointing to significant potential for advancements in diagnosis and treatment methodologies through enhanced understanding of cellular interactions.
