Graphene may enable electrodes that can be implanted in the brain

An interdisciplinary team, whose collaboration was coordinated by the University of Trieste in Italy and the Cambridge Graphene Centre, has successfully demonstrated how it is possible to interface graphene with neurons, or nerve cells, while maintaining the integrity of these vital cells. This innovative work may enable building graphene-based electrodes that can be safely implanted in the brain, offering promise for the restoration of sensory functions for amputee or paralysed patients, or for individuals with motor disorders such as epilepsy or Parkinson’s disease.

Previous work has shown that it is possible to use treated graphene to interact with neurons. However, the signal to noise ratio from this interface was very low. By developing methods of working with untreated graphene, the researchers retained the material’s electrical conductivity, making it a significantly better electrode.