SCC-LSR: From Technology to Humans: Protecting Users of Neural and Medical Implant Technologies Through Resilience and Safety Engineering

NSF Award Search · 01002829DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $3,500,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This research will advance community priorities in the areas of safety, security, and human health and wellness pertaining to existing and future neural implant devices. The team includes computer scientists, electrical engineers, MDs, neuroscientists, neural implant community groups, and manufacturers. The partner community groups include patients and their supporting families and caregivers from whom the team will understand the personal impact of neural implant technologies. Expanding engagement with partnered companies who manufacture and medical doctors who use neural implants, the team will address these community challenges and collaboratively deliver a neural implant hardware/software co-design solution that empowers the use and facilitates the safe adoption of emerging neural implant technologies. The research techniques developed for chip security will have applicability to other security related chip-based devices. This project will advance the scientific and technical security and chip hardware design by modeling the operations from a secure and dependable control perspective and developing innovative defense mechanisms that can be applied to emerging smart healthcare devices. Finally, by adding low-resource chip design, the team will advance manufacturing techniques for chip-based devices adding additional security features without impact to overall performance or lifetime. Researchers have demonstrated the impact of “brain-jacking” in mouse models but have no

Key facts

NSF award ID
2531225
Awardee
Northeastern University (MA)
SAM.gov UEI
HLTMVS2JZBS6
PI
Kevin Fu
Primary program
01002829DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Estimated total
$3,500,000
Funds obligated
$2,623,127
Transaction type
Continuing Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2030