Conductive polymer "molecular wires" for neuro-robotic interfaces

Abstract

Direct electrical communication between living nervous systems and external devices would allow a wide variety of clinical and engineering applications. This neuro-robotic interface has not yet been fully achieved because existing interface systems cannot establish sufficiently close contact between neurons and communicating electrodes. We present here the synthesis and testing of a new class of conductive polymer that can be used to coat metal electrodes and achieve the necessary close contact. The polymer coatings can be made to incorporate biological adhesion proteins to maximize biocompatibility. Neurons extracted from mouse and rat brains were able to attach to the coatings, survive beyond five days, and grow out long, communicating processes. These new polymer films offer the potential for a new level of communication between robotic devices and the nervous system and may eventually make a high-bandwidth interface a reality.