|
|
Article: Optical properties of crystal transferred to plastic for implants.(Medical Materials)
- Article from:
- Advanced Materials & Processes
- Article date:
- September 1, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 ASM International. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have discovered how to transfer the optical properties of silicon crystal sensors to plastic, an achievement that could lead to the development of flexible, implantable devices capable of monitoring the delivery of drugs within the body, the strains on a weak joint, or even the healing of a suture.
To transfer the optical properties of silicon to biocompatible polymers, Prof. Michael J. Sailor and his team start by treating a silicon wafer with air electrochemical etch to produce a porous silicon clip containing a precise array of nanometer-size holes. This gives the chip the optical properties of a photonic ...