High-density soft bioelectronic fibres for multimodal sensing and stimulation

Muhammad Khatib, Eric Tianjiao Zhao, Shiyuan Wei, Jaeho Park, Alex Abramson, Estelle Spear Bishop, Anne-Laure Thomas, Chih-Hsin Chen, Pamela Emengo, Chengyi Xu, Ryan Hamnett, Samuel E. Root, Lei Yuan, Matthias J. Wurdack, Tomasz Zaluska, Yeongjun Lee, Kostas Parkatzidis, Weilai Yu, Dorine Chakhtoura, Kyun Kyu Kim, Donglai Zhong, Yuya Nishio, Chuanzhen Zhao, Can Wu, Yuanwen Jiang, Anqi Zhang, Jinxing Li, Weichen Wang, Fereshteh Salimi-Jazi, Talha A. Rafeeqi, Nofar Mintz Hemed, Jeffrey B.-H. Tok, Xiang Qian, Xiaoke Chen, Julia A. Kaltschmidt, James C. Y. Dunn () and Zhenan Bao ()
Additional contact information
Muhammad Khatib: Stanford University
Eric Tianjiao Zhao: Stanford University
Shiyuan Wei: Stanford University
Jaeho Park: Stanford University
Alex Abramson: Stanford University
Estelle Spear Bishop: Stanford University School of Medicine
Anne-Laure Thomas: Stanford University
Chih-Hsin Chen: Stanford University
Pamela Emengo: Stanford University
Chengyi Xu: Stanford University
Ryan Hamnett: Stanford University
Samuel E. Root: Stanford University
Lei Yuan: Stanford University
Matthias J. Wurdack: Stanford University
Tomasz Zaluska: Stanford University
Yeongjun Lee: Stanford University
Kostas Parkatzidis: Stanford University
Weilai Yu: Stanford University
Dorine Chakhtoura: Stanford University
Kyun Kyu Kim: Stanford University
Donglai Zhong: Stanford University
Yuya Nishio: Stanford University
Chuanzhen Zhao: Stanford University
Can Wu: Stanford University
Yuanwen Jiang: Stanford University
Anqi Zhang: Stanford University
Jinxing Li: Stanford University
Weichen Wang: Stanford University
Fereshteh Salimi-Jazi: Stanford University
Talha A. Rafeeqi: Stanford University
Nofar Mintz Hemed: Stanford University
Jeffrey B.-H. Tok: Stanford University
Xiang Qian: Stanford University School of Medicine
Xiaoke Chen: Stanford University
Julia A. Kaltschmidt: Stanford University
James C. Y. Dunn: Stanford University
Zhenan Bao: Stanford University

Nature, 2025, vol. 645, issue 8081, 656-664

Abstract: Abstract There is an increasing demand for multimodal sensing and stimulation bioelectronic fibres for both research and clinical applications1,2. However, existing fibres suffer from high rigidity, low component layout precision, limited functionality and low density of active components. These limitations arise from the challenge of integrating many components into one-dimensional fibre devices, especially owing to the incompatibility of conventional microfabrication methods (for example, photolithography) with curved, thin and long fibre structures2. As a result, limited applications have been demonstrated so far. Here we use ‘spiral transformation’ to convert two-dimensional thin films containing microfabricated devices into one-dimensional soft fibres. This approach allows for the fabrication of high-density multimodal soft bioelectronic fibres, termed Spiral-NeuroString (S-NeuroString), while enabling precise control on the longitudinal, angular and radial positioning and distribution of the functional components. Taking advantage of the biocompatibility of our soft fibres with the dynamic and soft gastrointestinal system, we proceed to show the feasibility of our S-NeuroString for post-operative multimodal continuous motility mapping and tissue stimulation in awake pigs. We further demonstrate multi-channel single-unit electrical recording in mouse brain for up to 4 months, and a fabrication capability to produce 1,280 channels within a 230-μm-diameter soft fibre. Our soft bioelectronic fibres offer a powerful platform for minimally invasive implantable electronics, where diverse sensing and stimulation functionalities can be effectively integrated.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09481-2

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