Seeing the Sound

Understanding the inner workings of the brain requires a bidirectional interface that enables causal manipulation and simultaneous interrogation of neural activity. Existing electrical and optical brain interfaces are usually based on implanted devices and invasive procedures that necessarily damage the endogenous brain tissue and constrain the subject’s free behavior. To address these challenges, our lab leverages the latest advances in materials chemistry to develop minimally-invasive interfaces for monitoring and modulating the brain. Specifically, in this talk, I will present three materials-inspired strategies: 1) light sculpting in the tissue with ultrasound by turning the endogenous circulatory system into an “optical flow battery”, 2) an intravascular light source inspired by the biomineralization process in nature, and 3) deep-brain neuromodulation inspired by the infrared sensitivity of rattlesnakes. I will conclude my talk by presenting an outlook on how advances in materials chemistry may facilitate the development of next-generation brain-machine interfaces.