A

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

  1. Universität Hamburg · Thamar University

    Affiliation as printed

    Thamar University , , ,

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Department of Physics, Faculty of Applied Science

    Fachbereich Physik

    Thamar University

    Universität Hamburg

  2. 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

  3. Clarkson University

    Affiliation as printed

    Clarkson University , , , ,

    Clarkson University

    Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

  4. Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats · Universitat Rovira i Virgili

    Affiliation as printed

    ICREA , ,

    Universitat Rovira i Virgili , ,

    ICREA

    Universitat Rovira i Virgili

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  8. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  9. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  15. Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY

    Affiliation as printed

    Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY , ,

    Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY

  16. United States Naval Research Laboratory

    Affiliation as printed

    U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , , ,

    U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

  17. Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Forschungszentrum Jülich , , ,

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    JCNS-1

  18. United States Naval Research Laboratory

    Affiliation as printed

    U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , , ,

    U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

  19. University of Duisburg-Essen

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Duisburg-Essen , , ,

    Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE)

    University of Duisburg-Essen

  20. University of California, Davis

    Affiliation as printed

    UC Davis , , , ,

    Center for Neuroengineering and Medicine

    UC Davis

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  24. Nanion (Germany)

    Affiliation as printed

    Nanion Technologies GmbH , ,

    Nanion Technologies GmbH

  25. Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Forschungszentrum Jülich , , ,

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    JCNS-1

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. Philipps University of Marburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Marburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Chemie

    Universität Marburg

  29. 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

  30. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  31. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , ,

    Executive University Board

    Universität Hamburg

  32. 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

  33. 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

  34. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  35. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  36. 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

  37. 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

  38. RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    RWTH Aachen University , , ,

    Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering 1

    RWTH Aachen University

  39. 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)

  40. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Mathematik

    Universität Hamburg

  41. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  42. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  43. 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

  44. 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

  45. 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

  46. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  47. 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

  48. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  49. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  50. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Biologie

    Universität Hamburg

  51. 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

  52. University of Lübeck

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Lübeck , , ,

    Institute of Medical Psychology

    University of Lübeck

  53. 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

  54. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Chemie

    Universität Hamburg

  55. 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

  56. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  57. 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)

  58. University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

    Affiliation as printed

    University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , , ,

    Institute for Synaptic Neuroscience

    University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

  59. Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Forschungszentrum Jülich , , ,

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Institute of Biological Information Processing - Bioelectronics

  60. 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

  61. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  62. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  63. 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

  64. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  65. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  66. 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

  67. University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

    Affiliation as printed

    University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , , ,

    Head and Neurocenter, Department of Neurology

    University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

  68. University at Buffalo, State University of New York

    Affiliation as printed

    University at Buffalo , , , ,

    Department of Physics

    University at Buffalo

  69. 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

  70. Ikerbasque · CIC biomaGUNE

    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

  71. 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)

  72. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Executive Faculty Board, Faculty for Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences

    Universität Hamburg

  73. 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

  74. 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

  75. 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

  76. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  77. University of California, Davis

    Affiliation as printed

    University of California, Davis , , ,

    University of California, Davis

  78. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  79. 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

  80. Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

    Affiliation as printed

    Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf , , ,

    Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

    Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research

  81. Universität Hamburg · Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY

    Affiliation as printed

    Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY , ,

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  82. 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)

  83. 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)

  84. 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

  85. 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

  86. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  87. 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

  88. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  89. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  90. 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

  91. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

  92. Universität Hamburg

    Affiliation as printed

    Universität Hamburg , , ,

    Fachbereich Physik

    Universität Hamburg

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