High-density silicon carbide brain electrode arrays for long-lasting neural recording
Scalable fabrication of high-density amorphous silicon carbide microelectrode arrays for chronic neural interfacing
They are developing tiny, durable brain electrodes to capture high-quality neural signals for people who need long-term brain monitoring or brain–computer interfaces.
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 ID | NIH-11146571 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use standard thin-film manufacturing to build 128-channel, ultra-microelectrode arrays from amorphous silicon carbide that are small enough to insert into the brain without complex implantation tools. The devices are designed with ultra-thin shanks and high channel density to reduce immune response and keep recording quality high for much longer than current implants. The project aims to match the signal quality of carbon-fiber electrodes while enabling scalable production so these devices can be used more widely in clinical and research settings. Early testing will focus on device fabrication and durability, with preclinical studies to evaluate tissue response and recording longevity before any human implants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future clinical use would be people who need chronic intracortical monitoring or brain–computer interfaces, such as individuals with paralysis, severe motor disorders, or those undergoing invasive epilepsy monitoring.
Not a fit: People who do not need brain implants, who can be cared for with noninvasive monitoring (like EEG), or who have medical contraindications to brain surgery are unlikely to benefit directly from this work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide more reliable, longer-lasting brain recordings that improve neural prosthetics, monitoring, and treatments for neurological conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Carbon-fiber electrodes have produced excellent long-term recordings but are hard to scale up, and flexible thin-film devices have improved manufacturability though they have not yet matched carbon-fiber recording quality, so this project builds on both lines of work.
Where this research is happening
Eugene, United States
- University of Oregon — Eugene, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deku, Felix — University of Oregon
- Study coordinator: Deku, Felix
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 below.