Liquid Metal-Based Electrode Array for Neural Signal Recording

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience and Bioengineering
• Materials Science for Medical Devices

Background:

• Traditional neural electrodes are rigid, lacking mechanical compatibility with soft neural tissues.
• This mismatch limits electrode performance and long-term stability in neural interfacing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel liquid-metal (LM) based 20-channel neural electrode array.
• To assess the electrical and mechanical properties of the LM electrode for brain signal acquisition.

Main Methods:

• Microfabrication of a 20-channel neural electrode array using liquid-metal (LM) and platinum (Pt) encapsulation.
• In vitro testing of electrical stability and mechanical flexibility (bending, conformal contact).
• In vivo electroencephalogram (EEG) recording in rats, including auditory-evoked potentials (AEPs).

Main Results:

• The LM-based electrode array demonstrated stable electrical properties and excellent mechanical flexibility.
• Conformal contact with the skull was achieved, facilitating high-quality EEG signal acquisition.
• Auditory-evoked potentials were successfully recorded and analyzed using source localization.

Conclusions:

• The 20-channel LM-based neural electrode array meets the requirements for brain signal acquisition.
• The electrode's properties support high-quality EEG recording and source localization analysis.
• This technology offers a promising alternative for advanced neural interfacing and neuroscience research.