Graphene Neural Sensors for Next Generation In Vivo Imaging and Optogenetics

Abstract

Graphene has been studied extensively for their properties in the electrical, mechanical, and optical domains. Graphene"s flexible, transparent, and bio-compatible characteristics expand its boundaries from electrical applications to biological applications. Here, we present graphene neural sensors that allow for next generation in vivo imaging and optogenetics for its transparency over a broad wavelength spectrum and ultra-mechanical flexibility. The neural sensors implanted on the brain surface in rodents verify their unique abilities, including see-through in vivo imaging via fluorescence microscopy and 3D optical coherence tomography, and performance in advanced optogenetic experiments. The study is expected to deliver key information regarding the use of graphene in biological environments, specifically the brain. Subsequently, the study will have a strong impact on a wide spectrum of research areas spanning electrical engineering, neural science, and neural engineering.