Researchers awarded $5 million grant to advance brain implants with graphene electrodes
A team led by researchers at the University of California San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering has been awarded a $5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop next-generation brain implants that can record brain activity with unprecedented resolution and speed across different brain regions. The technology aims to advance neuroscience by providing clearer insights into brain function and overcome key limitations of existing brain-monitoring devices.
The project builds on the team’s previous work on a neural implant that captures real-time information about activity deep inside the brain while sitting on its surface. This thin, transparent and flexible implant, called Neuro-clear, houses a dense array of graphene electrodes, offering a powerful alternative to current neural interface technologies. Conventional surface arrays are minimally invasive but struggle to detect signals from deeper brain structures. On the other hand, electrode arrays with penetrating needles provide deeper access but often lead to inflammation and scarring, which can degrade signal quality over time. The Neuro-clear technology developed at UC San Diego combines the strengths of both approaches, allowing it to achieve high-resolution, long-term neural recording with minimal invasiveness.
Source: http://www.graphene-info.com/researchers-awarded-5-million-grant-advance-brain-implants-graphene-electrodes
