DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.cybioel.2024.037
Publication date: 28th June 2024
One of the most important aspects for improving biocompatibility of neuroelectronic interfaces is minimizing the implant volume. Recent progress in nanofabrication methods allow us to explore feature sizes in the sub-micron range, which in turn imposes materials trade-offs in conducting and insulating properties. In my talk I will expand on how nanofabrication methods such as e-beam and laser writing enables us to include more functionality on implants and still improve on tissue adaptation and integration. I will detail our first steps towards intraneural electrode arrays patterned with e-beam, for future innervation of bionic limbs. By integrating more complex stacks of materials in our designs, we can ensure low impedance and long-term stability, even in strenuous environments such as implanted in the body. I will furthermore discuss the possibility of biofunctionalization of polyimide-based implants with synthetic photopatternable hydrogels. These in turn can serve as platforms for tailored surface properties and hopefully will allow us to control how and where future implants anchor to moving tissues.
This work was supported by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program under grant agreements No. 101113487, ProBER, and furthermore by the European Innovation Council H2020 program grant agreement 101099366 “BioFINE”.