Electrochemical signaling for artificial innervation of self-oscillating gels

Active matter, characterized by its ability to exhibit autonomous and dynamic behavior, has emerged as a promising platform for mimicking complex biological processes. In biological systems, electrochemical signaling plays a vital role in regulating their dynamic processes, such as muscle contraction. Drawing inspiration from these mechanisms, we demonstrate that electrochemical signaling can effectively modulate the autonomous motion of self-oscillating gels (SOGs), a model active matter system driven by the Belousov - Zhabotinsky reaction. Electrochemical stimulation generates signal transducers, HBrO₂ and Br-, enabling the modulation of the autonomous motion of SOGs, including the termination and acceleration of volumetric oscillations. Our findings reveal that the response of SOGs to electrochemical signals is influenced by their geometry, orientation, and the duration of applied potential. These results establish electrochemical signaling as a powerful approach for controlling the behavior of active matter, bridging the gap between synthetic systems and biological mechanisms. By advancing the understanding of active matter dynamics, this work paves the way for applications in soft robotics, adaptive materials, and bioinspired actuators.