In a groundbreaking development, a graphene-based brain implant has been tested on a human patient for the first time. Graphene, a super-thin and incredibly strong material made of a single layer of carbon atoms, was first isolated in 2004 by physicists Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, earning them a Nobel Prize in 2010. Now, nearly two decades later, this wonder material is making its way into the realm of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).
Earlier today, surgeons at the University of Manchester placed an experimental graphene implant on the cortex—the brain’s outer layer—of a patient undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor. Developed by Spanish biotech company InBrain Neuroelectronics, this device represents a new type of brain-computer interface, designed to collect and decode brain signals with unparalleled precision. InBrain is one of several companies, including Neuralink, working to revolutionize BCIs for various medical applications.
The graphene implant, which resembles a thin, flexible sheet of Scotch tape, was installed for 79 minutes during the procedure. In that time, researchers observed the device’s ability to differentiate between healthy and cancerous brain tissue with micrometer-level precision. This capability could greatly enhance brain mapping—a technique that helps surgeons safely remove tumors without damaging areas responsible for motor or speech functions.
Unlike traditional electrodes, which are relatively rigid, the graphene implant is highly flexible, allowing it to conform better to the brain’s surface. This innovation could enable surgeons to place the device in areas of the brain that are otherwise difficult to access. “From a surgical perspective, it means we can probably put it in places where we would find it difficult to put an electrode,” says neurosurgeon David Coope, who performed the procedure. The graphene implant, which is only half the thickness of a human hair, contains 48 tiny electrodes, each just 25 micrometers wide.
The University of Manchester is conducting this first-in-human study, with plans to test the graphene device on up to 10 patients who are already undergoing brain surgery. The goal is to assess the safety and effectiveness of graphene in direct contact with the human brain. This study is funded by the European Commission’s Graphene Flagship project.
While this particular device is focused on brain mapping, InBrain is also developing a second implant that can penetrate deeper into brain tissue, delivering precise electrical stimulation. These advanced technologies could eventually be integrated and tested together as potential treatments for neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
With this successful trial, graphene’s potential in the medical field is starting to unfold, signaling a new era in brain-computer interfaces and offering hope for future treatments of complex neurological conditions.
Read more at Wired.
