Novel Edible Transistor Made from Toothpaste

Researchers at the Printed and Molecular Electronics laboratory, led by Mario Caironi, have made a significant breakthrough in the field of organic electronics. Following their successful creation of an edible battery last year, the team has now developed an edible transistor, marking a new milestone in the realm of edible technology.

One of the key components of this edible transistor is copper phthalocyanine, a blue pigment commonly found in commercial toothpaste formulations. This pigment, known for its whitening properties, is deposited on the teeth to enhance their whiteness. Throughout the day, the copper phthalocyanine is gradually removed by saliva and ingested, leading to its unintentional consumption.

The research team, in collaboration with a dental researcher from the University of Novi Sad in Serbia, conducted extensive studies on the properties of copper phthalocyanine. Through laboratory simulations and analysis of clinical data, they discovered that an average person inadvertently ingests about one milligram of this substance each time they brush their teeth.

Lead author of the study, Elena Feltri, a doctoral student at IIT’s Center for Nano Science and Technology in Milan, highlights the potential of this discovery. She notes, “With the daily ingestion of copper phthalocyanine, we could theoretically produce approximately 10,000 edible transistors, opening up new possibilities in the field of organic electronics.”

What makes copper phthalocyanine particularly intriguing is its chemical structure, which enables efficient charge conduction within its crystals. This property makes it an ideal candidate for use as a semiconductor in organic electronics applications. By integrating small amounts of this pigment into a recipe for building edible circuits, the research team has successfully created a novel approach to edible technology.