# Advanced three-dimensional microscale electrode array for high-density volumetric neural interfacing

> **NIH NIH R43** · NEURONEXUS TECHNOLOGIES · 2020 · $249,465

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Systems neuroscience is powered by progressively more sophisticated microscale neural probe
technologies. Decoding the complex neural circuits underlying memory, behavior and perception often requires,
in part, recording from as many neurons as possible in targeted brain regions with high spatial and temporal
precision and over multiple spatial and temporal scales. While advances in neural probe technologies over the
last 10 years have led to impressive gains in neural interfacing capabilities, current technologies are up against
fundamental limitations in three critical aspects: (i) optimized electrode site density with minimized tissue
displacement, (ii) sufficiently sampling a prescribed brain volume via precise positioning of sites with the tissue
volume, and (iii) recording reliable and stable neuronal activity over time scales of minutes to months.
 The overall goal is to develop and commercialize an innovative neural probe platform technology that pushes
well beyond current neural interfacing limits in these aspects. The proposed “G3” platform technology will achieve
order-of-magnitude improvements in probe size, electrode site density and count, three-dimensional site layouts,
and recording longevity. The fully elaborated array will be a 4096-site intracortical array with a precise three-
dimensional layout of sites that is custom fit to the target region. The G3 platform technology is innovative through
the use of advanced implant materials, the development of a sophisticated microfabrication and assembly
process, and the significant expansion of the neural interfacing design space to enable new neuroscience
discovery.
 The specific goals of this SBIR Phase I project are to develop the G3 platform technology and to prototype
and test several reference designs. Specific Aim 1 of the Phase I project will develop the microfabrication
process for the G3 platform technology. Resulting G3 probes will be 5-µm thick, and each 20-µm wide shank
will have electrode sites on both sides of the planar substrate. Specific Aim 2 will develop micro-assembly
techniques to make and validate three-dimensional arrays of G3 probes. The most advanced Phase I device will
be a three-dimensional 1024-site array consisting of four planar probes each having four penetrating shanks.
Phase I probes will undergo quantitative electrical and mechanical bench-level testing to evaluate feasibility and
refine the designs and manufacturing processes to meet specific functional requirements.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10155239
- **Project number:** 1R43NS120753-01
- **Recipient organization:** NEURONEXUS TECHNOLOGIES
- **Principal Investigator:** Christopher Leroy Frewin
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $249,465
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10155239

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10155239, Advanced three-dimensional microscale electrode array for high-density volumetric neural interfacing (1R43NS120753-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10155239. Licensed CC0.

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