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Plastic-Elastomer Heterostructure for Robust Flexible Brain-Computer Interfaces

FlexiSoft neural probe: (a–f) Characterization of FlexiSoft. (g) Released FlexiSoft in deionized (DI) water. (h–i) Implanted FlexiSoft in an agarose brain phantom. [Note: FlexiSoft neural probe remains functionally and structurally intact after multiple cycles of implantation and removal (data shown in c).]
FlexiSoft neural probe: (a–f) Characterization of FlexiSoft. (g) Released FlexiSoft in deionized (DI) water. (h–i) Implanted FlexiSoft in an agarose brain phantom.
[Note: FlexiSoft neural probe remains functionally and structurally intact after multiple cycles of implantation and removal (data shown in c).]

Flexible brain–computer interfaces require tissue-level compliance for deep tissue implantation, and sufficient mechanical robustness for safe removal after implantation. To meet these disparate requirements, Liu and Vlassak introduce FlexiSoft, a plastic–elastomer heterostructure that exhibits an order-of-magnitude improvement in both mechanical robustness (critical energy release rate) and flexibility (flexural rigidity) compared to materials currently used. They showed that FlexiSoft neural probes are capable of repeated insertion and removal without failure. Such flexible brain–computer interfaces open new avenues for scalable neuroscience research and clinical translation.

Publication:
Lin, X., X. Zhang, Z. Wang, J. Lee,  H. Yang, J. Chen, A. Remy, H. Shen, Y. He, H. Zhao, X. Zhang, A. J. Lee, W. Wang, A. Aljović, J.J. Vlassak, N. Lu, J. Liu, "Plastic-elastomer heterostructure for robust flexible brain-computer interfaces," bioRxiv (2025) open doi in new window open pdf in new window

Jia Liu (Bioengineering) and Joost J. Vlassak (Material Science & Mechanical Engineering)
2025-2026 Harvard MRSEC (DMR-2011754)