Interfacing with the Brain: How Nanotechnology Can Contribute
ACS Nano, vol. 19, pp. 10630–10717
Abstract
Interfacing artificial devices with the human brain is the central goal of neurotechnology. Yet, our imaginations are often limited by currently available paradigms and technologies. Suggestions for brain-machine interfaces have changed over time, along with the available technology. Mechanical levers and cable winches were used to move parts of the brain during the mechanical age. Sophisticated electronic wiring and remote control have arisen during the electronic age, ultimately leading to plug-and-play computer interfaces. Nonetheless, our brains are so complex that these visions, until recently, largely remained unreachable dreams. The general problem, thus far, is that most of our technology is mechanically and/or electrically engineered, whereas the brain is a living, dynamic entity. As a result, these worlds are difficult to interface with one another. Nanotechnology, which encompasses engineered solid-state objects and integrated circuits, excels at small length scales of single to a few hundred nanometers and, thus, matches the sizes of biomolecules, biomolecular assemblies, and parts of cells. Consequently, we envision nanomaterials and nanotools as opportunities to interface with the brain in alternative ways. Here, we review the existing literature on the use of nanotechnology in brain-machine interfaces and look forward in discussing perspectives and limitations based on the authors' expertise across a range of complementary disciplines─from neuroscience, engineering, physics, and chemistry to biology and medicine, computer science and mathematics, and social science and jurisprudence. We focus on nanotechnology but also include information from related fields when useful and complementary.
Authors 92
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Universität Hamburg · Thamar University
Affiliation as printed
Thamar University , , ,
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Department of Physics, Faculty of Applied Science
Fachbereich Physik
Thamar University
Universität Hamburg
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Ikerbasque · Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute
Affiliation as printed
Basque Foundation for Science, Ikerbasque , ,
Biogipuzkoa HRI , Paseo Dr. Begiristain s/n , ,
Basque Foundation for Science, Ikerbasque
Biogipuzkoa HRI, Paseo Dr. Begiristain s/n, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
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Affiliation as printed
Clarkson University , , , ,
Clarkson University
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
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Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats · Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Affiliation as printed
ICREA , ,
Universitat Rovira i Virgili , ,
ICREA
Universitat Rovira i Virgili
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University of California, Los Angeles
Affiliation as printed
University of California, Los Angeles , , , ,
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, and Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology
Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program
University of California, Los Angeles
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Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati
Affiliation as printed
International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA/ISAS) , , ,
International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA/ISAS)
Neuroscience Area
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Pasteur Institute of Iran · Universität Hamburg
Affiliation as printed
Pasteur Institute of Iran , , P.O. Box , ,
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
National Cell Bank Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
Universität Hamburg
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur · Universität Hamburg
Affiliation as printed
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur , , ,
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
School of Nano Science and Technology
Universität Hamburg
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Nanyang Technological University
Affiliation as printed
Nanyang Technological University , , ,
Innovative Center for Flexible Devices (iFLEX), Max Planck − NTU Joint Lab for Artificial Senses, School of Materials Science and Engineering
Nanyang Technological University
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Yonsei University · Institute for Basic Science
Affiliation as printed
Institute for Basic Science Center for Nanomedicine , Seodaemun-gu , ,
Yonsei University , , Seodaemun-gu , ,
Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
Department of Chemistry, Yonsei University, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
Institute for Basic Science Center for Nanomedicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Affiliation as printed
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY , ,
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
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United States Naval Research Laboratory
Affiliation as printed
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , , ,
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
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Affiliation as printed
Forschungszentrum Jülich , , ,
Forschungszentrum Jülich
JCNS-1
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United States Naval Research Laboratory
Affiliation as printed
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , , ,
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
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Affiliation as printed
University of Duisburg-Essen , , ,
Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE)
University of Duisburg-Essen
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University of California, Davis
Affiliation as printed
UC Davis , , , ,
Center for Neuroengineering and Medicine
UC Davis
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Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research
Affiliation as printed
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP , , ,
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP
Zentrum für Angewandte Nanotechnologie CAN
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Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Salud Carlos III · Biomedical Research Networking Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases · Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla · Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío · Universidad de Sevilla
Affiliation as printed
Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla , , ,
Universidad de Sevilla, CIBERNED, ISCIII , , ,
Departamento de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Facultad de Medicina
Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla
Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)
Universidad de Sevilla, CIBERNED, ISCIII
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Nanion Technologies GmbH , ,
Nanion Technologies GmbH
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Affiliation as printed
Forschungszentrum Jülich , , ,
Forschungszentrum Jülich
JCNS-1
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Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats · Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia
Affiliation as printed
Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST , ,
ICREA , ,
Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST
ICREA
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University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Affiliation as printed
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , , ,
The Calcium Signaling Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
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Philipps University of Marburg
Affiliation as printed
Universität Marburg , , ,
Fachbereich Chemie
Universität Marburg
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Universität Hamburg · Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication · Australian National Fabrication Facility · Monash University
Affiliation as printed
Monash University , , , ,
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility , , , ,
Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Fachbereich Physik
Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication
Monash University
Universität Hamburg
Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , ,
Executive University Board
Universität Hamburg
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University of Freiburg · University Medical Center Freiburg
Affiliation as printed
University Medical Center Freiburg , , ,
University of Freiburg , , ,
Faculty of Medicine
Section for Neuroelectronic Systems, Department for Neurosurgery
University Medical Center Freiburg
University of Freiburg
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Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research
Affiliation as printed
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP , , ,
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP
Zentrum für Angewandte Nanotechnologie CAN
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY · Hamburg University of Technology
Affiliation as printed
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY , , ,
Hamburg University of Technology , , ,
Center for X-ray and Nano Science CXNS
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Hamburg University of Technology
Institute for Materials and X-ray Physics
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Seoul National University · Institute for Basic Science
Affiliation as printed
Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS) , ,
Seoul National University , , ,
Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS)
School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes
Seoul National University
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Sven Ingebrandt Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University , , ,
Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1
RWTH Aachen University
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Technical University of Munich
Affiliation as printed
Technische Universität München (TUM) , , ,
Institute for Ethics and History of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health
Technische Universität München (TUM)
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Mathematik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Seoul National University · Institute for Basic Science
Affiliation as printed
Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS) , ,
Seoul National University , , ,
Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS)
School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Institute of Chemical Processes
Seoul National University
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University of Manchester · Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia
Affiliation as printed
Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST , ,
University of Manchester , , ,
Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST
Centre for Nanotechnology in Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health and The National Graphene Institute
University of Manchester
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Yonsei University · Institute for Basic Science
Affiliation as printed
Institute for Basic Science Center for Nanomedicine , Seodaemun-gu , ,
Yonsei University , , Seodaemun-gu , ,
Advanced Science Institute, Yonsei University, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
Institute for Basic Science Center for Nanomedicine, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Chinese Academy of Sciences · Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences · University of Chinese Academy of Sciences · State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
Affiliation as printed
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , , ,
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences , ,
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Biologie
Universität Hamburg
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Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz · University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz · Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Affiliation as printed
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research , Ackermannweg 10 , ,
Universitätsmedizin der Johannes-Gutenberg, Universität Mainz , , ,
Department of Dermatology, Center for Translational Nanomedicine
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55129 Mainz, Germany
Universitätsmedizin der Johannes-Gutenberg, Universität Mainz
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Affiliation as printed
University of Lübeck , , ,
Institute of Medical Psychology
University of Lübeck
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Universität Hamburg · Al-Azhar University
Affiliation as printed
Al-Azhar University , , ,
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Al-Azhar University
Fachbereich Physik
Physics Department, Faculty of Science
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Chemie
Universität Hamburg
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Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research
Affiliation as printed
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP , , ,
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP
Zentrum für Angewandte Nanotechnologie CAN
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Affiliation as printed
Neuro-X Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , , ,
Laboratory of Chemical Nanotechnology (CHEMINA)
Neuro-X Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
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University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Affiliation as printed
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , , ,
Institute for Synaptic Neuroscience
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
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Affiliation as printed
Forschungszentrum Jülich , , ,
Forschungszentrum Jülich
Institute of Biological Information Processing - Bioelectronics
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Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Université Paris Cité · SPPIN - Saints-Pères Paris Institute for Neurosciences
Affiliation as printed
Université Paris Cité , , ,
CNRS, Saints Pères Paris Institute for the Neurosciences
Université Paris Cité
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Czech Academy of Sciences · Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physiology
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences , ,
Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Institute of Fundamental Technological Research · Polish Academy of Sciences
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences , , ,
Department of Biosystems and Soft Matter
Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences
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University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Affiliation as printed
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , , ,
Head and Neurocenter, Department of Neurology
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
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University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Affiliation as printed
University at Buffalo , , , ,
Department of Physics
University at Buffalo
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Ikerbasque · University of Trieste · CIC biomaGUNE
Affiliation as printed
Basque Foundation for Science, Ikerbasque , ,
Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) , , ,
University of Trieste , , ,
Basque Foundation for Science, Ikerbasque
Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)
CIC biomaGUNE
Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Trieste
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Affiliation as printed
Basque Foundation for Science, Ikerbasque , ,
Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) , , ,
Basque Foundation for Science, Ikerbasque
Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)
CIC biomaGUNE
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Federal Institute For Materials Research and Testing
Affiliation as printed
Division Biophotonics, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) , ,
Division Biophotonics, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM)
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Executive Faculty Board, Faculty for Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
Universität Hamburg
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur · Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research
Affiliation as printed
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP , , ,
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur , , ,
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Zentrum für Angewandte Nanotechnologie CAN
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Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, RWTH Aachen , ,
Forschungszentrum Jülich , , ,
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, RWTH Aachen
Forschungszentrum Jülich
Institute of Biological Information Processing - Bioelectronics
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Max Planck Society · Universität Hamburg · Max Planck Institute for Human Development · University College London
Affiliation as printed
Max Planck Institute for Human Development , , ,
Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research , ,
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Institute of Psychology
Max Planck Institute for Human Development
Max Planck Research Group NeuroCode
Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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University of California, Davis
Affiliation as printed
University of California, Davis , , ,
University of California, Davis
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research
Affiliation as printed
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP , , ,
Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Polymerforschung IAP
Zentrum für Angewandte Nanotechnologie CAN
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Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
Affiliation as printed
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , , ,
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research
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Universität Hamburg · Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Affiliation as printed
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY , ,
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications · The Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials
Affiliation as printed
Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications , , ,
Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM)
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Federal Institute For Materials Research and Testing
Affiliation as printed
Division Biophotonics, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) , ,
Division Biophotonics, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM)
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California NanoSystems Institute · University of California, Los Angeles
Affiliation as printed
University of California, Los Angeles , , , ,
California Nanosystems Institute
Department of Bioengineering
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of California, Los Angeles
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Chinese Academy of Sciences · Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences · University of Chinese Academy of Sciences · State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
Affiliation as printed
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , , ,
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences , ,
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Institute of Fundamental Technological Research · Polish Academy of Sciences
Affiliation as printed
Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences , , ,
Department of Biosystems and Soft Matter
Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Universität Hamburg · Hangzhou Normal University
Affiliation as printed
Hangzhou Normal University , , ,
Universität Hamburg , , ,
College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Chemistry and Material Technology, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Organosilicon Material Technology
Fachbereich Physik
Hangzhou Normal University
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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Affiliation as printed
Universität Hamburg , , ,
Fachbereich Physik
Universität Hamburg
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