Conformable CMOS-based implantable array for Brain-Computer Interfaces

Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology is a popular choice for implantable bioelectronic devices, including Brain-Computer interfaces, cardiovascular monitoring, and glucose sensing. Its main qualities are low power consumption, high-density analog and digital circuits integration, biocompatibility, and fabrication scale-up. These capabilities enable the measurement and processing of bioelectronic signals with unbeatable precision. The primary material used in CMOS chips is silicon which is a brittle and hard material when compared to biological tissues. This characteristic hinders its usability in applications requiring the complete conformability of large arrays of sensors to specific tissues (e.g., brain, nerve, skin). Usually, a rigid CMOS chip is connected to a flexible array of electrodes [1]. This project aims to tackle silicon's mechanical limitations by combining new CMOS design strategies and novel microfabrication/packaging techniques. The goal is to develop a flexible and fully conformable CMOS device^§ with integrated electrodes for Brain-Computer interfaces.

This project is a collaboration between Dr. Filipe Cardoso (EI) and Dr. Dante Muratore (BE)

[1] X. Tang, H. Shen, S. Zhao et al., “Flexible brain–computer interfaces”, Nature Electronics (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-022-00913-9

§ The CMOS electronic circuits will be developed in another partner MSc project: https://bioelectronics.tudelft.nl/Education/thesisdetails.php?ti=590

Assignment

Duration: 12 months

Location: ME Laboratories and EKL/Kavli facilities at TU Delft

You will:

• Review the literature in this field.
• Define CMOS design strategies compatible with post-fabrication.
• Develop a post-fabrication flow for flexible CMOS chips in the EKL/Kavli cleanroom and ME facilities.
• Characterize the devices mechanically and electrically.

Requirements

• You are an ambitious student looking to tackle a major challenge in implantable devices.
• You are eager to develop new and disruptive brain-computer interfaces using micro-fabrication techniques.
• You have a proactive attitude.
• You have good communication skills in English.

Contact

Last modified: 2023-03-06