Chemical Engineering Seminar

Implantable neural interfaces underpin many technologies that rely on recording and stimulating neuronal activity from organs in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Reliable and stable chronic recording from excitable tissues using implantable multielectrode arrays has been elusive to date due, in part, to host tissue interactions that contribute to device failure. Local tissue damage and device failure is worsened by the mechanical mismatch between materials used to fabricated rigid silicon-based microfabricated multielectrode arrays (EMEA ~ 100 GPa) and tissues in the nervous system (EPNS ~ 10 kPa). Hydrogel-based electronics could reduce the mechanical mismatch across the tissue-device interface and enhance performance. Here we present materials and companion fabrication strategies to create ultracompliant electronic devices for use in peripheral nerve interfaces. Integrated strategies for polymer synthesis, processing, and microfabrication are described. Details regarding the in vitro and in vivo performance of these devices will also be presented.