Fabrication of a novel porous silicon biomembrane for applications in organ-on-chip technology.

Conventional in vitro and preclinical animal models often fail to accurately replicate the complexity of human diseases, limiting the success of translational studies and contributing to the low success rate of clinical trials (Ingber 2016). In response, research has increasingly focused on organ-on-chip technology, which better mimics human tissue interfaces and organ functionality. In this study, we describe the fabrication of a novel biomembrane made of porous silicon (PSi) for use in organ-on-chip systems. This biomembrane more accurately simulates the complex tissue interfaces observed in vivo compared to conventional organ-on-chip interfaces. By leveraging established semiconductor techniques, such as anisotropic chemical etching and electrochemical anodization, we developed a reproducible method to create ultra-thin freestanding PSi biomembranes. These membranes were thinned to approximately 10 μm and anodized to contain nanoporous structures (~ 15 nm diameter) that permeate the entire membrane. The incorporation of these membranes into organ-on-chip-like devices demonstrated their functionality in a lung-on-a-chip (LOAC) model system. The results indicate that the PSi biomembranes support cellular viability and adhesion, and are consistent with the expected diffusion of nutrients and signaling molecules between distinct cell types. This novel approach provides a reliable method for generating PSi biomembranes tailored to mimic tissue interfaces. The study underscores the potential of PSi-based membranes to enhance the accuracy and functionality of organ-on-chip devices in translational research.