capturing electrophysiological registers or detecting neurotransmitters, among other

functions [21,22].

The development of hybrid systems is undoubtedly feasible because, at a nanometric

scale, biomolecules such as enzymes or antibodies are comparable to metallic/semi­

conductor nanoparticles, which makes it possible to integrate the properties of nano­

particles with functions of biomolecules to make way for novel material functions in

nanometric circuits and devices, as well as biosensors [23]. There is also substantial

progress in neuroscience and cardiology, which will allow this field to address future

challenges posed by the electrophysiology of cells and excitable tissues; the goal is to

increasingly understand the dynamics of healthy and diseased cellular circuits and net­

works [18]. Neurological disorder treatment can expect many new alternatives from

bioelectronics [24,25].

Nanobioelectronics is heading toward specialized studies focused on brain activity,

such as neural circuits that require the use of both cellular and subcellular resolutions for

an adequate approach [26]. Likewise, neuroprosthetics and neuroscience have seized the

opportunities of bioelectronics to devise numerous new technologies [27]. Bioelectronics

is a complex field, requiring multiple elements to implement solutions. Among these

elements is the study of hydrogels, a fundamental and promising operation interface

between biological and electronic systems [28]. For its part, smartphone technology has

promising areas of opportunity; for example, its integration with sensors capable of

providing rapid and inexpensive biochemical detections relevant for health, environ­

mental, and food-related issues [29].

Concerning the environment, microbial electronic devices provide energy production

solutions and options for wastewater treatment, contaminant detection, and obtaining

chemical products [30]. In medicine, bioelectronic devices show great versatility, which

will probably increase in the future thanks to flexible materials that provide more options

for the design of new applications [31,32], for instance, organic electronic devices will

be more flexible and softer to better mimic original biological structures [33], so one of the

main purposes of this discipline is to create interfaces for these developments to be

properly merged with biological tissue [34]. Similarly, the potential of nanomedicine will

increase thanks to the advantages of organic bioelectronics [35].

In this context, it is essential to describe the scientific and technological trajectory of

bioelectronics in terms of academic research and developed applications. In this regard,

bibliometric studies reveal relevant information on the progress of basic science in

the field, and the analysis of patent documents represents a supply of important

technical and economic information because it allows to determine trends in techno­

logical fields, to understand these trends, and to help to define and establish strategies

and policies at the country level to stimulate technological progress and competitive­

ness [36–38]. Furthermore, these analysis techniques can be complemented by network

analysis to better understand the analyzed cases. Research has already demonstrated

this point; studies have used bibliometrics to explore biomedicine, clinical research, and

public health [39,40], as well as nanotechnology and bionanotechnology [41], which

shows the feasibility of outlining the evolution of basic research in different scientific

areas.

Research and development (R&D) programs have often been approached using patent

documents analysis [42]. Examples include research efforts that integrate more than one

of these tools (bibliometric studies, patent document search, and network analysis) on topics

such as emerging technologies related to optical storage [43], microbial fuel cells [44], enzyme

immobilization [45], biomaterials oriented to the development of health applications [46],

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