Researchers at Rice University have shown that carbon nanotubes are better than conventional metal electrodes for procedures such as deep brain stimulation and reading signals from neurons. These tubes are only a few nanometers in width, but using a process called wet spinning, many nanotubes can be combined to form fibers that are around a quarter the width of human hair. This material was originally created to be used in aerospace applications, where strength, weight, and conductivity are all highly valued attributes.
With the realization that the nanotubes could be used in the brain, scientists at Rice University began studying the potential of this technology in mice with Parkinson’s disease symptoms. By using this highly bio-compatible material, the researchers were able to prevent inflammation and maintain the strong electrical connections once the tubes had been implanted. There is a lot of potential for this new technology. Some of the few that have already been discussed include developing implants that are small enough to respond to feedback from the brain or creating devices with multiple tiny electrodes that can address individual problems with greater accuracy due to the nanotube’s small size. Furthermore, Matteo Pasquali, the scientist who created these nanotubes, stated that the fact that these nanotubes are porous and extremely stable gives it an advantage in sensing electrochemical signals and lifespan in comparison to traditional metal electrodes.
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Rice University: Carbon Nanotube Fibers Make Superior Links to Brain…