Conductive Polymer Electrodes for Neuromodulation

This project is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and Johnson Matthey (JM). Metallic electrodes are currently being used for recording and stimulating the central and peripheral nervous system in order to understand and treat neurological disease. Existing JM product offerings which enhance the performance of the underlying metal electrode (TiN, IrO2) can be difficult to deposit onto miniaturised and flexible components. Polymers may offer an alternative solution which can be easily deposited and provide other advantages such as a soft surfaces for improved interface with biological systems, which, in combination with the conformable and flexible underlying electrode can lead to reduced foreign body response. Conductive hydrogel electrodes and conductive polymer composites containing carbon and metal fillers have been found to display enhanced charge storage capacity and charge injection over metal or conductive polymer materials in neural applications. This project will investigate the application of composites of biocompatible conductive polymer and nanoparticles on JM-developed flexible electrode technology (Pt and Au). The aim of this project is to understand how the fundamental properties of these electrodes determine recording/stimulation efficiency and device lifetime. The project fits into the Clinical Technology research area of the EPSRC.