Dual-Conductive and Stiffness-Morphing Microneedle Patch Enables Continuous in Planta Monitoring of Electrophysiological Signal and Ion Fluctuation

The use of conductive microneedles presents a promising solution for achieving high-fidelity electrophysiological recordings with minimal impact on interfaced tissue. However, conventional metal-based microneedle suffers from high electrochemical impedance and mechanical mismatch. In this paper, we report a dual-conductive (i.e., both ionic and electronic conductive) and stiffness-morphing microneedle patch (DSMNP) for high-fidelity electrophysiological recordings with reduced tissue damage. The polymeric network of the DSMNP facilitates electrolyte absorption, and therefore allows the transition of stiffness from 6.82 N m-1 to 0.5139 N m-1. Furthermore, the nanoporous conductive polymer increased the specific electrochemical surface area after tissue penetration, resulting in ultralow specific impedance of 840 kΩ mm2 at 10 Hz. DSMNPs detected variation potential and action potential in real time and cation fluctuations in plants in response to environmental stimuli. After swelling, DSMNPs mechanically “lock” into biological tissues and prevent motion artifact by providing stable interface. These results demonstrate the potential of DSMNPs for various applications in the field of plant physiology research and smart agriculture.