Recordings and stimulations of neuronal electrical activity are topics of great interest in neuroscience. Many recording techniques, and even treatment of neurological disorders, can benefit from a microelectrode that is flexible, chemically inert, and electrically conducting and preferentially transfers electrons via capacitive charge injection. Commercial electrodes that currently exist and other electrodes that are being tested with the purpose of facilitating and improving the electron transport between solid materials and biological tissues still have some limitations. This paper discusses carbon nanotube (CNT)-based microelectrodes to record and stimulate neurons and compares their electron transport capabilities to noble metals such as Au and Ag. The recording ability of electrodes is tested through electroretinography on Sarcophaga bullata fly eyes by using Au and Ag wires and CNT fibers as electrodes. Stimulation is demonstrated through the implantation of Au wire and CNT fibers into the antennas of the Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) to control their locomotion. Our results demonstrate that a particular property of the CNT fiber is its high rate of electron transfer, leading to an order of magnitude lower impedance compared to Au and Ag and an impressive 15.09 charge injection capacity. We also established that this carbon nanomaterial assembly performs well for in vivo electrophysiology, rendering it a promising prospect for neurophysiological applications.
Assembling carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into macroscopic materials allows multiple applications that takes advantage of their physical properties. Specifically, the synthesis, fiber assembly, polymer coating and application of CNTs as microelectrodes has allowed us explore physiological applications as well as sensor development. This talk will summarize our research in CNT microelectrode development, neural recording and stimulation, and neurotransmitter detection and quantification through voltammetric techniques. Recordings and stimulations of neuronal electrical activity is a topic of great interest in neuroscience. Current commercial electrodes for transferring charges from solid electrode materials to and from biological tissue still have some limitations. A microelectrode that is flexible, chemically inert, electrically conducting, and preferentially transfers electrons via capacitive charge-injection is needed to treat multiple neurological disorders. This talk will compare charge transport capabilities from carbon nanotube fibers, noble metals Au and Ag wire microelectrodes to biological tissue. The recording ability of microelectrodes is demonstrated through Electroretinography (ERG) on Sarcophaga bullata fly eyes, where light stimulation generates potential changes that were detected by our microelectrodes. Stimulation is demonstrated through Au wire and carbon nanotube fiber implants in Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) antennas to control their locomotion directions. In addition, CNT microelectrodes has been found to detect neurotransmitters dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), epinephrine (Epn) and nor-epinephrine (Nor-epn) using voltammetric techniques with excellent limits of detection in the range of ~10-11 M. For practical applicability, the electrodes can detect in real time DA release from culture rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells upon concentrate K+stimulation.
Assembling carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into macroscopic materials allows multiple applications that take advantage of their unique physical properties. Specifically, the synthesis, fiber assembly, polymer coating and application of CNTs as microelectrodes in electrochemical detection and quantification of heavy metals and neurotransmitters will be presented. CNT microelectrodes has been found to detect subnanomolar concentrations of Pb, Hg, Cd and Cu simultaneously. Excellent limits of detection of neurotransmitters (in the range of ~10-11M) such as dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), epinephrine (Epn) and nor-epinephrine (Nor-epn) have been observed when using voltammetric techniques. As a proof of practical application, microelectrodes have been tested in real time DA release from culture rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells upon concentrate K+stimulation. In addition, the microelectrodes have been tested for recordings and stimulations of neuron electrical activity that is a topic of great interest in neuroscience. Multiple neurological disorders can benefit from a microelectrode that is flexible, chemically inert, electrically conducting, and preferentially transfers electrons via capacitive charge-injection. We compare the electron transfer capabilities among CNT fiber, noble metals Au and Ag wire microelectrodes when connected biological tissue. The recording ability of microelectrodes is demonstrated through Electroretinography (ERG) on Sarcophaga bullata fly eyes (Fig 1, left), where light stimulation generates potential changes that were detected by our microelectrodes. Stimulation is demonstrated through Au wire and carbon nanotube fiber implants in Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) antennas (Fig 1, right)to control their locomotion directions. Interface Impedance, charge injection capacity and electrical conductivity of CNT microelectrodes demonstrates their potential in neuroscience applications.
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