Graphene is an exceptional candidate to fulfil the needs of the neurotechnology domain for further miniaturisation of the devices that will enable multimodal interaction with the brain tissue. Owing to its unique combination of optical transparency, favourable electrical properties, and mechanical resilience, it supports concurrent optical readout and electrophysiology within the same field of view. By adopting a wafer-scale microfabrication process, herein, we develop transparent, transfer-free graphene-based microelectrode arrays engineered for ex-vivo & in vivo recording, stimulation and imaging. The implant layouts retain graphene within the field of view to preserve transparency and suppress photo-induced artefacts. Metal routing is confined outside the imaging region to reduce signal loss. Thin-film encapsulation is integrated, and a simple custom PCB connects to standard headstages. Within a wafer scale, we will develop multiple device layouts spanning dense recording configurations and stimulation-capable designs to enable targeted activation and monitoring of evoked responses. Two-photon imaging through graphene will be used as a core validation step to confirm unobstructed optical access and enable concurrent imaging and electrophysiology within the same field of view. Overall, this project aims to establish transfer-free multilayer-graphene flexible MEAs as a scalable and practical platform for next-generation multimodal neurotechnology, targeting in vivo recording, stimulation, and imaging.
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Radboud University
DBI2 Office
Heyendaalseweg 135
6525 AJ Nijmegen