Building bioelectronic interfaces

Combining the unique properties of electronic materials and devices and biomaterials is currently an area of intense interest and opportunity. However, there are obvious incompatibilities between the ´hard´ properties of electronic materials and the ´soft´ properties of biomaterials. Combined with this is the need to ensure retention of function as well as spatial control over the biomaterial deposition and effective coupling of the two elements. Advances in molecular engineering, nanotechnology, fabrication and the introduction of novel characterisation tools are opening exciting opportunities in this highly multidisciplinary field.