New Publication: All-Organic Microelectrode Arrays for Neural Stimulation and Recording

The following paper, written with second-year master’s student Tatsuya Murakami and alumnus Naoki Yada, has been published.

Carbon Nanotube-based Printed All-organic Microelectrode Arrays for Neural Stimulation and Recording, Tatsuya Murakami, Naoki Yada, Shotaro Yoshida, Micromachines, 15(5), 650 (2024).[Link]

The paper is open access and can be read by anyone at the link above.

This study developed a new fabrication method for microelectrode arrays (MEAs), used to electrically stimulate and record cultured neurons in neuroscience, medicine and drug development. Conventional MEAs are made by microfabricating expensive, scarce metals such as gold, silver and platinum, making them costly to introduce into research. Devices based on rare or precious metals also raise sustainability and environmental concerns.

We proposed “printing” a carbon nanotube/paraffin composite as an organic conductive ink, producing microelectrodes simply and inexpensively without using metals. Experiments confirmed high biocompatibility supporting neuronal culture and excellent electrical properties enabling stimulation and recording.

Further work is needed on microfabrication processes for smaller features and denser integration, and on methods to improve sensor sensitivity by compensating for the poorer electrical properties of organic materials compared with metals. Nevertheless, the method offers MEAs that are easier to introduce into experiments from both cost and SDG perspectives, and we will work toward practical application.