Mechano-bactericidal effects exhibited by specific nano-patterns have brought in the prospect of developing sustainable antibacterial materials. Contrary to the standard practices of administrating anti-bacterial agents or chemical surface functionalization, nano-patterns manage to inactivate a wide variety of bacteria species with no risk of toxicity, antibiotic resistance or replenishment. Herein, the experimental data on the bactericidal effect of nano-patterns were collected to develop in-silico models for identifying the impact of individual geometrical features. An artificial neural network was developed considering the three prevalent species of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The roles of individual geometrical features were analyzed and comprehensive parametric and sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the most favorable range for each parameter against different species. Geometrical features that would demonstrate bactericidal effects simultaneously against all the three studied species were identified. The efficient geometrical parameters, obtained from the artificial neural network analysis, were then used to develop a series of finite element models to simulate the physical interaction between the bacteria and the nano-patterns that result in inactivation. The obtained results can pave the way for unlocking the role of geometrical features towards optimized development of artificial materials with sustainable intrinsic antibacterial characteristics.

At the crossroads of chemistry, electronics, mechanical engineering, polymer science, biology, tissue engineering, computer science, and materials science, electrical devices are currently being engineered that blend directly within organs and tissues. These sophisticated devices are mediators, recorders, and stimulators of electricity with the capacity to monitor important electrophysiological events, replace disabled body parts, or even stimulate tissues to overcome their current limitations. They are therefore capable of leading humanity forward into the age of cyborgs, a time in which human biology can be hacked at will to yield beings with abilities beyond their natural capabilities. The resulting advances have been made possible by the emergence of conformal and soft electronic materials that can readily integrate with the curvilinear, dynamic, delicate, and flexible human body. This article discusses the recent rapid pace of development in the field of cybernetics with special emphasis on the important role that flexible and electrically active materials have played therein.