A breakthrough in materials could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of electronic implants in the human brain or other parts of the body. The advance could offer an array of biotechnology benefits and allow humans to control unmanned vehicles and other technologies directly with their brains. The development involves a polythiophene, or PEDOT, chemical structure. The newest materials, which David Martin describes as PEDOT Plus, dramatically enhances electronic implants in the body. Martin, who is a professor of materials science and engineering and associate dean, research and entrepreneurship, College of Engineering, University of Delaware, explains PEDOT materials have been around for years and can be chemically tailored for different purposes.

… which announced the most recent advance, hailed the achievement as another step toward the merger of the human brain and artificial intelligence, …