The Bioristor
The BIORISTOR is based on Organic Electrochemical Transistor (OECT) technology, a class of devices specifically designed to operate in aqueous and biological environments. Unlike conventional solid-state transistors, OECTs directly couple ionic transport in electrolytes with electronic conduction in organic semiconducting materials.
At the core of the BIORISTOR is PEDOT:PSS, a conductive polymer widely used in bioelectronics for its high conductivity, mixed ionic–electronic transport properties, mechanical flexibility, and excellent biocompatibility. These features make PEDOT:PSS particularly suited for in-vivo applications in plants, where stable and continuous interaction with biological fluids is required.
The BIORISTOR is a patented technology, whose operating principles and performance have been scientifically validated in more than 20 peer-reviewed publications. Extensive experimental studies have demonstrated its ability to monitor real-time physiological processes inside plants, providing early and sensitive detection of stress conditions.
Device Architecture and Operating Principle
The BIORISTOR consists of two main functional elements:
Channel (source–drain):
The transistor channel is formed by a PEDOT:PSS. The electrical conductivity of the channel is modulated by variations in ionic concentration within the plant sap. Changes in plant physiology directly affect the channel current, enabling continuous sensing of internal plant processes.
Gate electrode:
A second electrode, acting as the gate, is also in contact with the sap. When an appropriate electrical potential is applied, an electric field drives ions from the sap into or out of the PEDOT:PSS channel. This ionic exchange alters the doping level of the polymer, resulting in a measurable modulation of the channel current.
Through this mechanism, the BIORISTOR converts biological and chemical signals inside the plant into electrical signals, enabling direct, real-time monitoring of plant health with high sensitivity and temporal resolution.
