Living Liquid Metal Composites Embedded with Electrogenic Endospores for Next‐Generation Bioelectronics

Abstract Seamless integration of electrogenic bacteria with electronic systems represents a transformative frontier in bioelectronics. Through extracellular electron transfer, these bacteria function as both communication conduits between living systems and electronics and as dynamic electronic components with biologically driven functionality. However, conventional platforms are limited by weak biotic–abiotic interfaces, poor electrical conductivity, and inadequate mechanical and biological stability. Here, a fundamentally new class of living bioelectronic material is presented: a liquid metal composite embedded with dormant Bacillus subtilis endospores. The endospores are well integrated into the eutectic gallium–indium (EGaIn) matrix, where they facilitate the spontaneous rupture of its native oxide shell and enable sintering‐free electrical interconnectivity. This integration ultimately results in seamless biotic–abiotic interfaces and on‐demand electrogenic activation upon germination. The living composite exhibits a high baseline conductivity (≈1.1 × 10⁴ S cm −1 ), excellent self‐healing capability, operational reliability, robust patternability on diverse substrates, and long‐term biological viability. Upon spore germination, conductivity increases dramatically to 5.1 × 10⁶ S cm −1 , approaching bulk metal levels. When implemented in a microbial fuel cell, the composite functions as an active bioelectronic component, achieving a peak power density of ≈10 µW cm − 2 —significantly outperforming abiotic and nonelectrogenic counterparts. This platform pioneers a transformative strategy for advancing next‐generation bioelectronic technologies.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-10-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202521818
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.67
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Living Liquid Metal Composites Embedded with Electrogenic Endospores for Next‐Generation Bioelectronics

Maryam Rezaie, Seokheun Choi, Yang Gao
1 citations
Advanced Functional Materials
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
0.67
article

Living Liquid Metal Composites Embedded with Electrogenic Endospores for Next‐Generation Bioelectronics

Maryam Rezaie, Seokheun Choi, Yang Gao
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Abstract Seamless integration of electrogenic bacteria with electronic systems represents a transformative frontier in bioelectronics. Through extracellular electron transfer, these bacteria function as both communication conduits between living systems and electronics and as dynamic electronic components with biologically driven functionality. However, conventional platforms are limited by weak biotic–abiotic interfaces, poor electrical conductivity, and inadequate mechanical and biological stability. Here, a fundamentally new class of living bioelectronic material is presented: a liquid metal composite embedded with dormant Bacillus subtilis endospores. The endospores are well integrated into the eutectic gallium–indium (EGaIn) matrix, where they facilitate the spontaneous rupture of its native oxide shell and enable sintering‐free electrical interconnectivity. This integration ultimately results in seamless biotic–abiotic interfaces and on‐demand electrogenic activation upon germination. The living composite exhibits a high baseline conductivity (≈1.1 × 10⁴ S cm −1 ), excellent self‐healing capability, operational reliability, robust patternability on diverse substrates, and long‐term biological viability. Upon spore germination, conductivity increases dramatically to 5.1 × 10⁶ S cm −1 , approaching bulk metal levels. When implemented in a microbial fuel cell, the composite functions as an active bioelectronic component, achieving a peak power density of ≈10 µW cm − 2 —significantly outperforming abiotic and nonelectrogenic counterparts. This platform pioneers a transformative strategy for advancing next‐generation bioelectronic technologies.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 36(20)
Binghamton University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 25%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
0.67
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.