Neural stimulation with a carbon nanotube microelectrode array.
We present a novel prototype neural interface using vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) pillars as microelectrodes. Functionalized hydrophilic CNT microelectrodes offer a high charge injection limit (1-1.6 mC/cm2) without faradic reactions. The first repeated in vitro stimulation of hippocampal neurons with CNT electrodes is demonstrated. These results suggest that CNTs are capable of providing far safer and more efficacious solutions for neural prostheses than previous metal electrode approaches.
Wang
Ke
K
Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA. wangke@stanfordalumni.org
Fishman
Harvey A
HA
Dai
Hongjie
H
Harris
James S
JS
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D008422:Materials Testing; D008839:Microelectrodes; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D013499:Surface Properties
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon