Mission:To develop sodium-ion batteries based on biocompatible hydrogels for implantable biomedical applications, through the design, preparation and characterization of materials and devices.
To evaluate their electrochemical performance, possible functionalities as biomedical sensors and biocompatibility in contact with human tissues relevant to the intended implantation sites.
Functions to be developed: • Design, prepare and optimize functional hydrogels and biocompatible polymeric materials for the development of electrolytes, electrodes and other components of sodium-ion batteries.
• Manufacture and integrate prototypes of sodium-ion batteries based on hydrogels, including the preparation of active materials and necessary components, and optimizing their composition, structure and processing conditions.
• Carry out the physicochemical, structural, morphological, mechanical and electrochemical characterization of materials and devices.
Evaluate their electrochemical performance through measurements of capacity, stability, cyclability, efficiency, impedance and response under different operating conditions.
• Investigate the properties of materials and devices as biomedical sensors, studying their sensitivity, selectivity, response time, reversibility, stability and ability to detect relevant physiological parameters or stimuli.
• Evaluate the biocompatibility of materials and devices, especially in contact with human tissues associated with potential implantation sites.
Study their cytocompatibility and possible biological effects, as well as the influence of composition, degradation and released products on the safety of the device.