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  • Perspective
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Flexible brain–computer interfaces

Nature Electronics volume 6, pages 109–118 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Brain–computer interfaces—which allow direct communication between the brain and external computers—have potential applications in neuroscience, medicine and virtual reality. Current approaches are, however, based on conventional rigid electronics and are limited by their intrinsic mechanical and geometrical mismatch with brain tissue. Flexible electronics, which can have mechanical properties compatible with the brain, could address these limitations and be used to create the next generation of brain–computer interfaces. Here we explore the use of flexible electronics in the development of brain–computer interfaces. We examine the unique advantages of flexible, stretchable and soft electronics in such interfaces and consider the potential impact of the technology on neuroscience, neuroprosthetic control, bioelectronic medicine, and brain and machine intelligence integration. We also explore the challenges in materials, device fabrication and system integration that need to be addressed to develop flexible brain–computer interfaces of general applicability.

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Fig. 1: Next-generation BCIs.
Fig. 2: Flexible, stretchable and soft electronics for BCIs.
Fig. 3: Impact of flexible BCIs.
Fig. 4: Engineering challenges.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculty Start Up Fund and Harvard University Dean’s Competitive Fund for Promising Scholarship. Elements in Figs. 1–4 created with BioRender.com.

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Xin Tang, Hao Shen.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA

    Xin Tang, Hao Shen, Siyuan Zhao, Na Li & Jia Liu

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J.L., X.T. and H.S. conceived this Perspective. All authors wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jia Liu.

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J.L. is co-founder of Axoft, Inc.

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Nature Electronics thanks Xiaojie Duan and Woon-Hong Yeo for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Tang, X., Shen, H., Zhao, S. et al. Flexible brain–computer interfaces. Nat Electron 6, 109–118 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-022-00913-9

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