Electrolyte-gated transistors for enhanced performance bioelectronics

TLDR

Electrolyte‑gated transistors (EGTs) are fundamental building blocks of bioelectronics that transduce biological and biochemical inputs into amplified electronic signals while stably operating in aqueous environments. This Primer examines the various architectures of EGTs, their mechanisms of operation, and practical considerations for their wide range of applications. The Primer reviews the materials, fabrication approaches, functional bio‑layers, and application strategies of EGTs, highlighting advantages, limitations, and potential optimizations. Current issues and future directions for further development and application of EGTs are outlined.

Abstract

Electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs), capable of transducing biological and biochemical inputs into amplified electronic signals and stably operating in aqueous environments, have emerged as fundamental building blocks in bioelectronics. In this Primer, the different EGT architectures are described with the fundamental mechanisms underpinning their functional operation, providing insight into key experiments including necessary data analysis and validation. Several organic and inorganic materials used in the EGT structures and the different fabrication approaches for an optimal experimental design are presented and compared. The functional bio-layers and/or biosystems integrated into or interfaced to EGTs, including self-organization and self-assembly strategies, are reviewed. Relevant and promising applications are discussed, including two-dimensional and three-dimensional cell monitoring, ultra-sensitive biosensors, electrophysiology, synaptic and neuromorphic bio-interfaces, prosthetics and robotics. Advantages, limitations and possible optimizations are also surveyed. Finally, current issues and future directions for further developments and applications are discussed. Electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) are fundamental building blocks of bioelectronics, which transduce biological inputs to electrical signals. This Primer examines the different architectures of EGTs, their mechanism of operation and practical considerations related to their wide range of applications.