# A Technology Resource for Polymer Microelectrode Arrays

> **NIH NIH U24** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2021 · $1,188,779

## Abstract

The purpose of this proposal is to disseminate polymer microelectrode arrays and promote their
integrated into neuroscience research practice. Such polymer neural interfaces are mechanically
compliant to promote stability of the device-tissue interface and versatile in that both surface and
penetrating electrode arrays can be produced with the same technology. To accomplish their
dissemination and integration, a resource will be created that offers the ability to customize electrode
designs for their applications that are compatible with other recording and stimulation technologies and
imaging technologies. The state-of-the-art polymer probes with high channel count will be made available
to select users through project proposals selected with the input of a steering committee and to the broader
community as prototypes on shared multi-project processing runs. Importantly, devices produced through
user engagement will be functionally tested and ready to implant. The multi-project wafer processing runs
will allow for small numbers of custom devices from multiple users to be produced on a single mask set
which will allow users to debug and perform design adjustments and allow the resource to efficiently utilize
wafer real estate.
 The resource also offers a testing service to validate electrode arrays made by external users. The
successful in vivo implementation of interface technologies is dependent of their repeatable construction
and reliable performance; these may be difficult to attain in small batch prototypes and even in
commercially produced devices because of lack of testing capabilities or expertise. Device testing services
will ensure rigor, reproducibility, and transparency for the benefit of the user community. The testing
approach will be comprehensive, beginning at the materials level and progressing to the interface,
interconnections, and packaging. Testing will include techniques that examine surface properties, material
properties, mechanical performance, electrical and electrochemical performance, and lifetime testing. As
needed, testing will be tailored for each project as dictated by its end use requirements. The testing
methodologies will be rigorously documented and also disseminated.
 To facilitate adoption of technologies by users, the resource will offer onsite training on how to
implement electrode arrays in vivo in rat. The resource seeks to enable BRAIN Initiative investigators and
the broader community to achieve large scale recordings that will impact fundamental neuroscience
research and next generation neuroprosthetic platforms for the treatment of multiple neurological disorders
and conditions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242083
- **Project number:** 5U24NS113647-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Ellis Meng
- **Activity code:** U24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,188,779
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-30 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242083

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242083, A Technology Resource for Polymer Microelectrode Arrays (5U24NS113647-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242083. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*