Artificial Nerve With Transistors For Brain-Machine Links

The high-frequency artificial nerve works like human nerves, improving ion and electron transport. It could help with nerve repair, brain-computer links, and electronics.

Researchers from Xi’an Jiaotong University in China and the Technical University of Munich have now developed a high-frequency artificial nerve with an innovative design. Their system enhances ion and electron transport, responds quickly to signals, and retains charge-related information. Detailed in a paper published in Nature Electronics, this nerve-inspired device uses homogeneously integrated organic electrochemical transistors.

N-type organic electrochemical transistors are considered a potential building block for artificial nerves due to their positive-potential-triggered potentiation behavior, which can mimic biological cells. However, these devices often face limitations in ionic and electronic transport and storage properties, resulting in poor volatile and non-volatile performance, along with slow response times. A newly developed high-frequency artificial nerve addresses these challenges by using homogeneously integrated organic electrochemical transistors.

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The artificial nerves are based on vertical n-type organic electrochemical transistors sequentially deposited onto a substrate. These devices emulate the functioning of receptors, synapses, and somas in the human nervous system, forming nerve-like circuits.

Unlike previous artificial nerves that excelled in specific areas like ionic and electronic transport or long-term memory storage, this transistor-based system demonstrated both efficient ionic and electronic transport and long-term ion storage, overcoming past trade-offs.

The integrated artificial nerve, combining vertical n-type and p-type organic electrochemical transistors, offers sensing, processing, and memory functions in the high-frequency domain. It has also been shown to integrate with animal models experiencing neural impairments, effectively mimicking basic conditioned reflex behavior.

To evaluate its potential, the artificial nerve was implanted in mice with impaired neural functions. The system proved to be biocompatible and successfully simulated conditioned nerve-supported reflexes.

Further development and testing could enhance the artificial nerve’s performance and safety. In the long term, it may contribute to technologies for repairing nerve circuits and developing brain-computer interfaces. Potential applications include prosthetic limbs controlled by the brain, communication aids for paralyzed patients, and systems for monitoring or manipulating brain activity.

Reference: Shijie Wang et al, A high-frequency artificial nerve based on homogeneously integrated organic electrochemical transistors, Nature Electronics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-025-01357-7