Inkjet-Printed Rough Gold Microelectrode Arrays on Flexible Substrates for Neural Recording and Electrical
Amelie Ziller1, Andrea Corna1, Mai Thu Bui1
1Institute of Biomedical Electronics, TU Wien, Gußhausstraße 27-29, 1040 Vienna, Austria.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|May 4, 2026
Summary
This study introduces the first inkjet-printed microelectrode arrays (MEAs) for neuronal interfacing. These low-cost, flexible MEAs enable reliable single-unit recording and electrical stimulation, matching conventional device performance.
Area of Science:
- Neurotechnology
- Bioelectronics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Conventional microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are crucial for electrogenic tissue research but rely on expensive, complex cleanroom fabrication.
- Inkjet-printed MEAs offer a low-cost alternative, yet their application for neuronal recording and stimulation remains limited.
- Neuronal interfacing, combining recording and stimulation, has not been achieved with inkjet-printed MEAs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using inkjet-printed microelectrode arrays (MEAs) for both extracellular single-unit neuronal recording and electrical stimulation.
- To establish inkjet-printing as a viable, low-cost manufacturing method for flexible MEAs suitable for neurotechnology.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of gold microelectrodes on flexible foils using maskless inkjet-printing.
- Insulation of electrodes with printed SU-8 (epoxy-based dielectric).
- Characterization of electrode morphology (SEM, AFM, profilometry) and electrochemical behavior (impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry).
- Functional assessment using ex vivo retinal tissue for recording and stimulation.
Main Results:
- Inkjet-printed gold electrodes exhibited a rough, nanoparticle-based morphology, increasing effective surface area and enabling low impedance.
- The printed MEAs achieved reliable single-unit neuronal recordings with signal-to-noise ratios comparable to commercial devices.
- Electrical stimulation using biphasic pulses successfully activated retinal cells, demonstrating effective neuronal interfacing.
- Electrodes were found to be reusable and non-cytotoxic.
Conclusions:
- Inkjet-printed microelectrode arrays are capable of high-performance neuronal interfacing, including single-unit recording and electrical stimulation.
- This technology provides a scalable, adaptable, and low-cost alternative to conventional MEA fabrication for neurotechnology applications.
- The rough gold morphology achieved through inkjet-printing is key to the functional performance of these novel MEAs.
