“In this new project, I will manipulate the architecture of a polymer to create a novel, tunable, insulating and conducting material that is biodegradable. Although there has been some work done on biodegradable substrates, synthesis of biodegradable conductors and semiconductors is almost a virgin area. This is where I want to push the scientific boundaries to design a new material class with unique properties and dedicated functionalities,” she says and continues:
“I think it’s high time we start making solutions for replacing the classic materials such as silicon and germanium in electrical components with new biodegradable materials. This prestigious grant will give me the necessary tools to build the solution.”
Even though Assistant Professor Shweta Agarwala doesn’t expect the project to breed industry-ready technology, she does have a vision to take it far and beyond. The project will not only develop a new material class, but also translate its findings to fill the gap between science and engineering:
“In my opinion, it’s important to design and create solutions that allow for discovered materials to be made into devices and integrated into products for a coherent flow between discovery to product. 3D printing is of paramount importance here, since it enables such solutions to be easily integrated into industries at a later stage.”
The project goes under the name "Printed bio-inspired hydrogel substrate with adhesive and electrical conductivity for sustainable electronics", and starts on 1 April 2021.
