How is flexible electronics advancing neuroscience research?

Yihang Chen; Nicholas J Rommelfanger; Ali I Mahdi; Xiang Wu; Scott T Keene; Abdulmalik Obaid; Alberto Salleo; Huiliang Wang; Guosong Hong

doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120559

How is flexible electronics advancing neuroscience research?

Biomaterials. 2021 Jan:268:120559. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120559. Epub 2020 Dec 2.

Authors

Yihang Chen¹, Nicholas J Rommelfanger², Ali I Mahdi¹, Xiang Wu¹, Scott T Keene³, Abdulmalik Obaid¹, Alberto Salleo³, Huiliang Wang⁴, Guosong Hong⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
² Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
³ Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
⁴ Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. Electronic address: whl0903@stanford.edu.
⁵ Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA; Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. Electronic address: guosongh@stanford.edu.

Abstract

Innovative neurotechnology must be leveraged to experimentally answer the multitude of pressing questions in modern neuroscience. Driven by the desire to address the existing neuroscience problems with newly engineered tools, we discuss in this review the benefits of flexible electronics for neuroscience studies. We first introduce the concept and define the properties of flexible and stretchable electronics. We then categorize the four dimensions where flexible electronics meets the demands of modern neuroscience: chronic stability, interfacing multiple structures, multi-modal compatibility, and neuron-type-specific recording. Specifically, with the bending stiffness now approaching that of neural tissue, implanted flexible electronic devices produce little shear motion, minimizing chronic immune responses and enabling recording and stimulation for months, and even years. The unique mechanical properties of flexible electronics also allow for intimate conformation to the brain, the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the retina. Moreover, flexible electronics enables optogenetic stimulation, microfluidic drug delivery, and neural activity imaging during electrical stimulation and recording. Finally, flexible electronics can enable neuron-type identification through analysis of high-fidelity recorded action potentials facilitated by its seamless integration with the neural circuitry. We argue that flexible electronics will play an increasingly important role in neuroscience studies and neurological therapies via the fabrication of neuromorphic devices on flexible substrates and the development of enhanced methods of neuronal interpenetration.

Keywords: Brain-machine interfaces; Chronic interface; Electrophysiology; Neuron-type specificity; Optogenetics.

How is flexible electronics advancing neuroscience research?

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