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Mechanical characterization of vertically aligned carbon nanotube forest microelectrodes for neural interfacing
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DOI：10.3389/fnins.2026.1864874.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
IntroductionThis study aims to explore the mechanical properties of porous microelectrodes formed from vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) forests. Specifically; we investigate the range of effective CNT-based microelectrode (ME) moduli that can be fabricated and identify moduli within that range that significantly reduce strain on brain tissue during micromotion.Materials and methodsTo address these questions; we developed a micromechanical measurement method; known as the dual deflection (DD) test; which is compatible with microelectrode array (MEA) form factors and can measure a wide range of moduli with a 30% uncertainty. Using the DD test with small deflections; we measured the effective Young’s modulus of freestanding CNT microelectrodes (MEs) fabricated with different carbon infiltration times (0; 15; and 30 s) at 900°C. We also developed a static 10 μm deflection finite element analysis (FEA) model to compare the brain tissue strain induced by probes with the maximum (1.7 GPa); median (72 MPa); and minimum (3.9 MPa) measured CNT moduli; along with the modulus of silicon (165 GPa) for comparison.ResultsThe DD test results showed mean effective moduli of 19.6 ± 14.5 MPa; 67.7 ± 22.7 MPa; and 168 ± 62.3 MPa for arrays fabricated with 0; 15; and 30 s infiltrations; respectively. The FEA model revealed that probes with the maximum CNT modulus induced similar strain to the silicon probes at the tip; while probes with the minimum and median CNT moduli showed minimal strain at the tip.DiscussionThese findings suggest that CNT microelectrodes with moduli in the tens of MPa range; achievable through 15 s of carbon infiltration; can significantly reduce brain tissue strain. Additionally; we consistently observed that microelectrodes with 15 s of infiltration were apparently undamaged after deflection; making them mechanically promising candidates for neural probe arrays.
Keywords:
finite element analysis
microelectrode array
mechanical characterization
carbon nanotube forest
modulus
neural implant
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