Nature-derived, biocompatible silibinin based bioresorbable neuromorphic device for implantable medical electronics

Implantable medical electronics require strict standards distinct that are from conventional electronics, such as high data throughput of various signals from a living body and anti-inflammatory responses after a surgical operation. In addition, there is a major concern that the implanted medical device should be removed through additional surgery when its lifespan expires, or duty is terminated. Here, a nature-derived biomaterial silibinin (SLB)-based neuromorphic device that satisfies the requirements of implantable medical electronics is presented. SLB is a biocompatible and bioresorbable material extracted from milk thistle seeds and is mainly used as a pharmaceutical drug for fatty liver disease or cancer. The SLB-based neuromorphic device shows synaptic behaviors, such as a 130 % of paired-pulse facilitation index, potentiation-depression property, and short term-to-long term memory transition behavior of biological synapses. The synaptic behavior of the device is attributed to the MgOx formed by the redox reaction between the Mg electrode and the SLB layer with oxygen functional groups. Furthermore, SLB-based neuromorphic device fabricated on the biopolymer is fully biodegraded within 8 h. It is confirmed to have excellent biocompatibility by performing a cytotoxicity test for 120 h. These results suggest that SLB-based neuromorphic devices are a potential solution for implantable medical electronics.