Master`s thesis: 3D printing of soft materials for bioelectronic applications

Work group:

IBI-3 - Bioelektronik

Area of research:

Other

Job description:

Within the Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-3) addresses the field of Bioelectronics. Our interdisciplinary team of physicists, biologists, material scientists, electrical engineers and chemists focuses on fundamental issues concerning the application of micro- and nanoelectronics to brain and life science such as biosensors and bioelectronic implants. One of our aims is to gain a better knowledge of the physiological behavior and the mechanisms of neuronal information processing as well as the development of new tools for diagnostics (Alzheimer`s disease, Parkinson disease etc.), imaging and biological implants.

Your Job:

In our institute, the two photon polymerization (2PP) 3D printer from NanoScribe GmbH is used to print highly complex structures such as 3D scaffolds and microfluidic devices for cell applications. The Photonic Professional GT2 is one of the world’s highest precision 3D printer. Due to its ability to print almost every geometry with a very high resolution ( ̴100 nm) it is possible to tailor the design to the specific needs of the desired application making it a very interesting tool in life science research. The printing material used so far (IP-L 780 by NanoScribe) is well suited to fabricate devices for different aspects in Bioelectronics. However, IP-L 780 is a quite stiff material with a Young’s modulus of 5 GPa which might lead to a decreased cell-material interaction. Therefore, it can be advantageous to use a softer material. The NanoScribe Company recently developed a bunch of very interesting printable and soft biomaterials especially tailored for life science applications such as PDMS, hydrogels and biodegradable materials. PDMS for example is widely used in life science applications, e.g. in microfluidics, and has proven its suitability. The Young’s modulus of those materials is at least one order of magnitude smaller than that of IP-L 780 and thus they are well suited to reduce the mechanical mismatch between device and cell. Therefore, we are interested in using these materials to develop improved Bioelectronic applications such as scaffolds for 3D neuronal networks, microfluidic devices as well as flexible implants. A printed high resolution composite material consisting of a solid scaffold and a soft matrix (e.g. hydrogel) for investigation of 3D neuronal networks is only one of many possible applications.Your task will be to implement the printable and soft biomaterials for the use inside of our institute. With optimizing the overall printing process, the limits (like resolution and geometry complexity) of the new materials have to be found, to get a better idea of its possible future applications. Therefore, first, suitable printing parameters for different complex structures, designed for Bioelectronic applications, have to be found. The printed structures have to be investigated regarding their material properties like flexibility and stability. Once, suitable parameters are found, you will work together with different groups inside the institute to design, fabricate and characterize new devices which can be used for scaffolds for 3D neuronal cultures, microfluidic applications as well as flexible implants. The characterization part includes on the one hand the characterization of the fabricated devices, like impedance spectroscopy. On the other hand, it also consists of Cell culture work, where the investigation of cell-material interactions via REM and fluorescent microscopy as well as electrical measurements of the cells need to be conducted.The following tasks are to be dealt during the master thesis:

• Get familiar with the 3D printer “Photonic Professional GT2” from NanoScribe located in the 1000 m² ISO 1-3 Clean Room facility of FZJ


• Implementation of the new printable and soft biomaterials from NanoScribe


• Design, fabrication, application and characterization of new devices by using the gained knowledge of the new materials

Your Profile:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in materials science, physics, biology, electrical engineering, or a related field


• Interests in the field of Bioelectronics and Neuroscience


• Independent and analytical way of working


• Advantageous, yet not mandatory, are experiences of using CAD software like CATIA

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your master degree:

• An interesting and socially relevant topic for your thesis with future-oriented themes


• Ideal conditions for gaining practical experience alongside your studies


• A pleasant working environment within a highly motivated and competent working group as well as an international and interdisciplinary team at one of the most prestigious research facilities in Europe


• You will be supported by outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure as well as closely scientific mentoring


• Very interesting and interdisciplinary project with many different aspects like Clean Room work and Cell Culture work


• The chance to independently prepare and work on your tasks


• Flexible working hours as well as a reasonable remuneration


• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work.

Forschungszentrum Jülich promotes equal opportunities and diversity in its employment relations.We also welcome applications from disabled persons.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.