Special Session IC-3.F
State-of-the-art Biomaterials and Bioelectronics for Next Generation Implantable Neural Interfaces
Convener:
Stefano VASSANELLI, University of Padova, Italy
Members:
Jeffrey R. CAPADONA, Case Western Reserve University, USA
Andreas HIERLEMANN, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Dion KHODAGHOLY, University of California, Irvine, USA
Guglielmo LANZANI, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
George G. MALLIARAS, University of Cambridge, UK
Jun OHTA, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan
Themis PRODROMAKIS, University of Edinburgh, UK
Jacob ROBINSON, Rice University, USA
Bozhi TIAN, The University of Chicago, USA
Stefano VASSANELLI, University of Padova, Italy
Members:
Jeffrey R. CAPADONA, Case Western Reserve University, USA
Andreas HIERLEMANN, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Dion KHODAGHOLY, University of California, Irvine, USA
Guglielmo LANZANI, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
George G. MALLIARAS, University of Cambridge, UK
Jun OHTA, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan
Themis PRODROMAKIS, University of Edinburgh, UK
Jacob ROBINSON, Rice University, USA
Bozhi TIAN, The University of Chicago, USA
The list of Invited Speakers will be available at the end of July 2025
The development of implantable neural interfaces enables large-scale and high-resolution recording of neural populations in vivo and offers new application perspectives for neuroscience and for the therapy of neurological disorders. If, on one hand, a new investigation window has been opened on brain function by getting better access to brain microcircuits, on the other hand these novel neural interfaces may represent a means to partially restore lost functions in the nervous system of neurological patients. The reliability and endurance of the implant, the degradation with time of neural functions caused by implant/tissue mismatches in stiffness, insertion-associated injuries and foreign body reactions represent all serious problems to be overcome. Further on, other complex challenges have to be faced along this route, including the stable sensing of weak signals from individual or a few neurons for long periods, the implementation of microstimulation paths for two-way control of neurons activity, and to embody signal processing capabilities in the implant at low power consumption.
New achievements in biomaterials and bioelectronics towards neural interfaces with low impedance, flexibility and conformability, minimal invasiveness, cell-type specificity, high spatiotemporal resolution and long term stability may play a fundamental role in the development of new neural interfacing systems for neural recording and modulation to enable the design of nanoscale devices and architectures allowing for an efficient and smart bi-directional interfacing with the nervous tissue and providing a high degree of biocompatibility that are a key for their successful application.
This Special Session, that follows the ones on the same subject held at previous CIMTEC Conferences, will feature recent progress in this challenging research field whose breakthroughs are expected to have relevant impact on the treatment of disorders of the nervous system such as e.g. spinal cord injuries, neurovegetative diseases such as e.g. Parkinson’s, autism, severe mental illness, and visual cortex and retina diseases.
Topics will include:
New achievements in biomaterials and bioelectronics towards neural interfaces with low impedance, flexibility and conformability, minimal invasiveness, cell-type specificity, high spatiotemporal resolution and long term stability may play a fundamental role in the development of new neural interfacing systems for neural recording and modulation to enable the design of nanoscale devices and architectures allowing for an efficient and smart bi-directional interfacing with the nervous tissue and providing a high degree of biocompatibility that are a key for their successful application.
This Special Session, that follows the ones on the same subject held at previous CIMTEC Conferences, will feature recent progress in this challenging research field whose breakthroughs are expected to have relevant impact on the treatment of disorders of the nervous system such as e.g. spinal cord injuries, neurovegetative diseases such as e.g. Parkinson’s, autism, severe mental illness, and visual cortex and retina diseases.
Topics will include:
- Conductive polymers for neural interfaces
- Stimuli-responsive nanomaterials for neuromodulation
- Drug/gene delivery vectors for neural interfacing
- Axon pathfinding to target; neural tissue engineering; bioactive scaffolds for nerve regeneration
- Flexible conformable and thin film bioelectronics
- Substrate micro-nano structuring and functionalization for neural development
- Nano-, micro-devices for neural signal processing: signal management, reliability, long-term stability
- Mechanical and electronic properties of implantable neural recording and stimulating devices
- Minimally invasive interfacing and systemic response to implanted neural interfaces
- In-vitro neural interfacing studies; lab-on-chip devices
- Achievements in clinical translations (treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, brain and spinal cord injuries, artificial retina….)