High-density brain microelectrodes that can be implanted easily and last longer
Official title: Scalable fabrication of high-density amorphous silicon carbide microelectrode arrays for chronic neural interfacing
Funded at University of Oregon · NIH-11385323 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher team is developing ultra-small, self-inserting brain electrodes made from amorphous silicon carbide to record brain signals for many months with minimal immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oregon NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eugene, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $655,805 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS136987-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385323 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with or at risk for neurological conditions where long-term brain signal monitoring could inform therapy or research.
✕Less likely to help
People without access to neurosurgical implants or those not suitable for brain-recording studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create scalable, 128-channel microelectrode arrays that can be implanted in the cortex without complex devices. The team will use amorphous silicon carbide in thin-film fabrication to achieve durable, high-quality neural recordings. By focusing on manufacturability and long-term stability, the research hopes to enable better understanding of how brain circuits change over time and improve future treatments for neurological disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from longer-lasting brain implants that provide clearer signals to guide treatments for brain disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous carbon fiber approaches show strong recording quality but limited scalability; this project seeks a scalable alternative with potentially parallel benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oregon
Eugene, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deku, Felix — University of Oregon
- Study coordinator: Deku, Felix
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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.