MODIFICATION OF THE SURFACE OF A PHOTOPOLYMER SUBSTRATE FOR CHEMICAL METALLIZATION OF A FLEXIBLE NONINVASIVE ELECTRODE.

ODLDAY

Abstract

Annotation. Neurointerfaces are increasingly being developed and applied in various fields every year: from educational institutions to UAV piloting training. However, the devices used are imperfect and do not allow them to fully realize their full potential. Some of the problems are directly related to the design features of the electrodes. The paper presents the design of a star-shaped flexible electrode, devoid of the disadvantages of the surveyed analogues. The manufacturing process of the electrode is divided into such stages as the creation of a polymer flexible housing and the metallization of the working surface. It is possible to obtain a monolithic product combining the elastic and mechanical properties of the polymer with the electrically conductive characteristics of the metal. The proposed solution will eliminate such problems of existing electrode designs as the inability to securely attach without causing discomfort to the user, signal distortion due to electrode movement during wearing, insufficient contact area, and rapid electrode failure during daily operation. A modification technique optimized for the RESIONE F80 Flex photopolymer has been developed, which makes it possible to obtain a catalytically active surface capable of starting the chemical metallization process upon contact with a special solution. The structural changes of the surface of the studied photopolymer at all stages of modification have been studied by optical microscopy: from mechanical surface preparation to chemical methods of exposure. The analysis of the treated surface at the beginning of metallization is carried out, the dependence of the quality of the resulting metal layer on the changes introduced into the modification process is considered.