Piezoelectric materials are materials that produce a voltage when placed under mechanical stress. Biocompatible piezoelectric materials are a growing area of interest for biomedical engineering researchers for their potential rehabilitative and regenerative properties for electrically excitable cells such as nervous and muscle cells. By further developing these materials, it may be possible to use them to better address issues such as volumetric muscle loss and nerve damage. For researchers to produce these piezoelectric devices, they must be able to robustly validate these materials as reliable forms of treatment. To accomplish this, researchers need systems that can measure the electrical properties of piezoelectric materials created in the laboratory before moving to clinical settings. Researchers often run into the problem that systems used for detecting small currents produced by these materials are too expensive or too big for practical use. This work outlines a procedure for the synthesis of an interpenetrating network of polymers to form poly(vinylidene fluoride)-poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (PVDF-PEGDA) piezoelectric hydrogels. This work also proposes a low cost, portable Arduino based design for a device to measure electric currents produced by piezoelectric hydrogels undergoing mechanical deformation.

Dr. Zustiak (BME) has been incredibly influential in developing this project. She has provided lab space, resources, and a wealth of knowledge to help James succeed. Her extensive experience in researching biomaterials has proved to be an invaluable source of good advice. James would like to express his extreme gratitude for all of Dr. Zustiak's help and guidance. Her email is silviya.zustiak@slu.edu.