Polystyrene Nanopillars with Inbuilt Carbon Nanotubes Enable Synaptic Modulation and Stimulation in Interfaced Neuronal Networks

The use of nanostructured materials and nanosized-topographies has the potential to impact performance implantable biodevices, including neural interfaces, enhancing their sensitivity selectivity, while reducing tissue reactivity. As a result, current trends in biosensor technology require effective ability improve devices with controlled nanostructures. Nanoimprint lithography pattern surfaces high-density high aspect ratio nanopillars (NPs) made polystyrene (PS-NP, insulating), or polystyrene/carbon-nanotube nanocomposite (PS-CNT-NP, electrically conductive) are exploited. Both substrates challenged cultured primary neurons. They demonstrated support development suspended synaptic networks at NPs’ interfaces characterized by reduction proliferating neuroglia, boost neuronal emergent electrical activity when compared flat controls. authors successfully exploit conductive PS-CNT-NPs stimulate cells electrically. both interface explants isolated from mouse spinal cord is then tested. integration circuits NP topology, nature networks, reduced neuroglia formation, higher network together deliver stimuli via PS-CNT-NP reveal such platforms as promising designs implement on neuro-prosthetic neurostimulation devices.