A new, scalable system to record brain signals with tiny, less-invasive electronics
Official title: A Nanoelectronic Strategy for Reliable, Large-scale Chronic Neural Recording
Funded at Rice University · NIH-11358434 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team is developing advanced nanoelectronic brain sensors that can reliably record and stimulate brain activity at high resolution for long periods, helping people understand and treat brain-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2017 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $597,848 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS102917-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11358434 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with conditions where brain signals are relevant to symptoms or research aims, such as epilepsy, movement disorders, or cognitive dysfunction, and who could participate in future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without conditions related to brain activity or those not eligible for invasive device studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create recording devices that can sit in the brain with minimal disruption, maintain stable signals for years, and scale to many recording sites. It focuses on reducing tissue reaction and signal loss caused by traditional implants. The work combines neuroscience with engineering to enable precise, millisecond-level access to neural activity in a way that could eventually inform therapies for cognitive and behavioral disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could improve our ability to study brain function and pave the way for better interventions for brain disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous neural implant research showed improvements in recording stability with advanced materials, suggesting potential for continued progress.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Chong — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Xie, Chong
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.