Research Projects

Understanding the electrical activity of neurons at high spatiotemporal resolution is critical for deciphering brain function, studying neurological disorders, and developing brain–machine interfaces. While traditional extracellular microelectrode arrays (MEAs) allow for scalable, long-term monitoring, they often suffer from low signal fidelity due to poor neuron–electrode coupling and high impedance. Recent advances in vertical nanoelectrode technology present a transformative opportunity to overcome these limitations by enabling quasi-intracellular access while preserving cell viability. This project aims to develop a CMOS-compatible, nanoelectrode-integrated MEA platform for high-fidelity electrophysiological interfacing with in vitro neuronal networks. The central hypothesis is that vertical high-aspect-ratio nanoelectrodes with optimized geometry, surface chemistry, and insulation can provide enhanced coupling with neurons, thereby significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of recorded action potentials.