Multifunctional Hydrogel Materials for Advanced Neural Interfaces

Conventional rigid neural electrodes mismatch the soft, wet nature of neural tissue, hindering long-term stable interfaces. Multifunctional hydrogels, with their tissue-like compliance, ionic conductivity, and biocompatibility, offer a promising solution to bridge bioelectronic systems and neural tissues. This review systematically examines critical hydrogel properties-mechanical compliance, adhesion, biocompatibility, conductivity, and injectability-for neural interfacing. It summarizes recent advances in hydrogel-based technologies, including hydrogel coatings, conductive hydrogel electrodes, and integrated hydrogel electronics. Future challenges involve balancing biodegradation with long-term stability, developing advanced fabrication strategies, and ensuring chronic performance stability. Key future directions include optimizing hydrogel properties for chronic applications, creating smart-responsive hydrogels, integrating artificial intelligence, and advancing wireless systems. Leveraging materials science, bioengineering, and nanotechnology, hydrogel-based neural interfaces are poised to unlock unprecedented capabilities in brain-computer interfaces, neural prosthetics, neuromodulation, and regenerative therapies, heralding a paradigm shift in neurotechnology.