Kombucha electronics: Electronic circuits on kombucha mats

Adamatzky, Andrew; Tarabella, Giuseppe; Phillips, Neil; Chiolerio, Alessandro; D’Angelo, Passquale; Nikolaidou, Anna; Sirakoulis, Georgios Ch.

Abstract

A kombucha is a tea and sugar fermented by over sixty kinds of yeasts and bacteria. This symbiotic community produces kombucha mats, which are cellulose-based hydrogels. The kombucha mats can be used as an alternative to animal leather in industry and fashion once they have been dried and cured. Prior to this study, we demonstrated that living kombucha mats display dynamic electrical activity and distinct stimulating responses. For use in organic textiles, cured mats of kombucha are inert. To make kombucha wearables functional, it is necessary to incorporate electrical circuits. We demonstrate that creating electrical conductors on kombucha mats is possible. After repeated bending and stretching, the circuits maintain their functionality. In addition, the abilities and electronic properties of the proposed kombucha, such as being lighter, less expensive, and more flexible than conventional electronic systems, pave the way for their use in a diverse range of applications.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 31, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jun 9, 2023
• Publication Date: Jun 9, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 14, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 14, 2023
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-2322
• Publisher: Nature Research (part of Springer Nature)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 9367
• Pages: 9367
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36244-8
• Keywords: Biomaterials; Materials for devices; Soft materials; Structural materials
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10853626
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-36244-8
• Additional Information: We are grateful to Geoff Sims for laser cutting of kombucha mats. We thank Ultimaker/MakerBot Technical Support for guidance on optimising print settings with Ultimaker S5. We thank Dr Shengrong Ye (Multi3D) for guidance on 3D printing Electrifi filament