Soft and bio-degradable electronics: Technology challenges and future applications

Interest in resorbable and biodegradable materials originates from their potential in food packaging, environmental science and ecology, but also in medicine and biotechnology. Till very recently, electronics has not been on such development paths. However, recent advancements in material science, thin processing and nanotechnology offer the prospective of high performance electronic devices which function for the desired time and then safely and harmless degrade and disappear. Implantable devices are the most promising applications but other opportunities exist in environmental sensing, security systems and consumer electronics. The technology, however, is still in its infancy. Challenges stands behind the design and assembly of more sophisticated devices for wireless operation and accurate sensing, and behind the efforts to combine dissolution dynamics and stable electrical operations. This paper offers an overview of the state of the art of the technology with focus on materials and devices.