Silicon Carbide Biotechnology: Carbon-Based Neural Interfaces

Implantable neural interfaces (INI) have gained significant interest since the 1970s. However, the materials currently utilized for neural interfaces suffer from limitations such as degradation, induce a foreign body response, and experience a loss of target neurons in close proximity. Therefore, the development of new implantable device materials for biomedical applications continues to be an important direction of research and development. Carbon-based nanomaterials are promising candidates and also interesting since carbon has many allotropes with different structures and properties, many of which have also been developed for biomedical devices. Moreover, many carbon allotropes have excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. In this framework, the biocompatibility of graphene, carbon nanotubes, and pyrolyzed-photoresist films, which are three very promising carbon-based nanomaterials (CBN), will be discussed. The neural probe fabricated solely using amorphous silicon carbide as support and pyrolyzed photoresist film (PPF) will be presented as this system represents a highly robust, thin, and flexible neural interface using well-known neurocompatible materials.