Sep 2022
Bionic devices are used to improve the quality of life for millions of people globally. However, the materials and in particular the electrode constructs used in the clinic have not substantially changed in over 50 years. Conventional metallic electrodes, while functional within specific operation conditions, do not allow some of the more advanced therapeutic approaches being developed in cutting edge research, such as high resolution brain interfaces. As such, there remains a substantial gap between the complexity and functionality of the natural nervous system and the ability of a device the replace this function following injury or disease. The most important factor is the interface where synthetic device meets the biological environment, and key to making next-generation, high resolution devices is the development of advanced materials.
Professor Green will highlight the way in which her research investigates tissue-material interactions and uses this knowledge to design material interfaces that promote improved communication between body and device. Her talk will cover the design, fabrication, and characterisation of polymer systems through to device prototypes focusing on implantable bionic devices, non-invasive electronic interfaces and novel applications of bioelectronics. Prof Green will highlight her work in bionic device design, with a focus on pioneering “living bionic” devices, and recent developments in wearable technologies for non-invasive therapeutics.
Professor Rylie Green joined the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London in 2016. She received her PhD (Biomedical Engineering) from the University of New South Wales, Australia in 2008. Professor Green has developed a range of innovative materials to address the limitations that hinder the development of next-generation bioelectronic devices. Her focus has been in developing bioelectronic technologies that are soft, stretchable and mediate improved electrical charge transfer with the body. This has included pioneering work on living bioelectronics, which are designed to grow into the body. This research has initiated collaborations with Galvani Bioelectronics, Cochlear Ltd and the US Department of Defense. Professor Green holds Editorial roles with APL Bioengineering, Advanced Bionanomedicine and Biomaterials. She has received over £25M in grants including an EPSRC Healthcare Technologies Challenge Award (2018) and an ERC Consolidator Grant. She has received awards including the Royal Society for Chemistry Emerging Technologies: Materials and Enabling Technologies (2018) and a Suffrage Science Award (2017).