Cyborg Rose Created When Digital Electronics were Inserted into a Living Plant

Researchers have created analog and digital electronics circuits inside living planets. Using the vascular system of living roses, the scientists have managed to build key components of electronic circuits.

Plants are complex organisms that rely on the transport of ionic signals and hormones to perform necessary functions. However, plants operate on a much slower time scale, making interacting with and studying plants much more difficult. Augmenting plants with electronic functionality, though, may make it possible to combine electric signals with the plant's own chemical processes.

"Previously, we had no good tools for measuring the concentration of various molecules in living plants," said Ove Nilsson, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Now we'll be able to influence the concentration of the various substances in the plant that regulate growth and development. Here, I see great possibilities for learning more."

The researchers used vacuum infiltration to infuse a polymer PEDOT variant into the leaves. The infused polymer formed "pixels" of electrochemical cells partitioned by the veins. Voltage caused the polymer to interact with the ions in the leaf, changing the color of the PEOT in a display-like device.

"Now we can really start talking about 'power plants'-we can place sensors in plants and use the energy formed in the chlorophyll, produce green antennas, or produce new materials," said Magnus Berggren, one of the researchers. "Everything occurs naturally, and we use the plants' own very advanced, unique systems."

The findings are published in the journal Science Advances.

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