Bringing hard electronics into soft and squishy bodies
Summary
John A. Rogers discusses the development of soft, biocompatible electronics that mimic biological tissue to enable intimate integration with organs like the brain and heart. He details the engineering challenges of translating rigid silicon technology into flexible, water-soluble devices and shares the story of creating a temporary pacemaker that dissolves after use. Rogers explains his collaborative approach with clinicians, emphasizing the importance of persistent, obsessive research and the goal of combining fundamental science with practical medical applications.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Progressive Insurance
Introduction to John A. Rogers and bioelectronics
Origins of squishy electronics and the brain interface
Engineering challenges of biocompatible devices
Collaborative approach and interdisciplinary expertise
The T-shaped expertise profile
Research process: blue sky vs. clinical requests
Obsession and persistence in research
Case study: Dissolvable temporary pacemakers
Sponsors: Brooklyn Solarworks and NYC Campaign Finance
Selecting problems: The three buckets of inquiries
Intuition, failure, and risk management
Coping with failure and student success
Pure science vs. applied technology: The Bell Labs model
Closing remarks and credits
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