High-density carbon fiber brain sensors to advance neurotechnology
Official title: Advancing High-Density Carbon Fiber Electrode Arrays for Commercial Neurotechnology Applications
Funded at Spike Neuro LLC · NIH-11406708 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, ultra-thin carbon fiber brain sensor is being developed to the point where it can become a commercially available tool for researchers and clinicians studying brain activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Spike Neuro LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,693,866 |
| NIH project number | 1R44NS145912-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406708 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals who could participate include patients or healthy volunteers contributing samples or data through related human-subject research or future trials using advanced neural interfaces.
✕Less likely to help
If a patient’s condition requires different neural interface approaches, this specific technology may not be the best fit.
What this research studies
This project aims to take a lab-made high-density carbon fiber electrode array and turn it into a reliable, scalable commercial product. It focuses on improving fabrication, assembly, and performance to enable precise single-neuron recordings and safe brain stimulation. Researchers and patients could benefit from better tools to study brain circuits and potential neurotechnology therapies. The work builds on NIH BRAIN Initiative advances to bring cutting-edge neural interfaces closer to broad use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could enable more accurate brain recordings and targeted stimulation, potentially accelerating neuroscience research and future clinical applications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with carbon fiber neural probes has shown promising recording stability and biocompatibility, supporting continued development.
Where this research is happening
-
Spike Neuro LLC
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Howard, Charla Lindley — Spike Neuro LLC
- Study coordinator: Howard, Charla Lindley
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.