Using liquid metal alloy (EGaIn) to electrochemically enhance SS stimulation electrodes for biobotic applications

Abstract

Biobotics is an emerging and useful advent in the field of robotics which harnesses the mechanical power of live invertebrates and benefits from them as "working" animals. Most biobotic applications rely on neural or muscular stimulation through implanted electrodes for achieving direct control of their locomotory behavior. Degradation of stimulation efficiency is often noticed through extended usage, partly owing to incompatibility of implanted electrodes to the application. Our previous achievements in biobotics utilized commercially available stainless steel wires as stimulation electrodes due to its availability and lower cost. In this study, we look into the potential of using a liquid metal alloy, eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn), as a means of enhancing properties of the stainless steel electrodes and its first time consideration as in vivo neurostimulation electrodes. We present in vitro analysis of the electrodes in terms of the electrolyte-electrode interface impedance and interface equivalent circuit model.