Symposium F.FL02—Advanced Neural Interfacing Materials, Devices and Microsystems
The convergence of new concepts in materials science, chemistry, electrical engineering, and biomedical engineering has led to the rise of diverse, innovative classes of neural interfacing materials, devices, and microsystems that are enabling in both neuroscience and neural engineering. Various recent materials of interest for advanced neural interfaces include micro- and nanostructures, proteins, and molecules for spatiotemporally specific recording and stimulation, and engineered microsystems and their evolving materials and form factors. These advancements are roughly grouped by modality, ranging from electrical interfacing, to optical, magnetic, ultrasonic and beyond. Still, significant challenges exist from the need to interface the man-made microelectronics, optics, and medical instrumentation with the soft, dynamic circuitry of the brain.
This symposium will focus on the latest advances in materials to compose/control/engineer neuron interfaces to produce functional implants with greater capability (e.g., resolution, throughput, longevity) than what is possible today. The focus includes fundamental materials science, device strategies, system integration, manufacturing/fabrication schemes, and potential neuroscience/biomedical/clinical applications. By bringing together interdisciplinary topics related to physics, chemistry, materials science, electrical engineering, and biomedical engineering, we aim to identify the multidisciplinary efforts necessary to advance fundamental materials science and bring new solutions to neuroscience, neural engineering, and neurosurgery.