# Gallium Based Mechanically Adaptable Microelectrode Arrays

> **NIH NIH R21** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $419,375

## Abstract

Project Summary: Next Generation Mechanically Adaptable Microelectrode
Implantable microelectrodes are essential tools for understanding basic electrophysiology. Although
considerable progress has been made in the past several decades in terms of electrode design, the current
devices are still unable to retain their functionalities in a physiological environment over long periods, due to
failure is related to the staggering mismatch between the mechanical properties of the electrodes and tissue.
There have been significant research efforts in the development of flexible implantable electrodes. However,
the flexible electrode will buckle during insertion and require rigid shuttle/coating to penetrate the targeted
issue The complications of tissue insertion has significantly hindered the practical usage of the flexible
implantable electrodes. In this project, we will take an innovative material approach to develop a new class of
thermo-responsive and mechanically adaptable microelectrode between room temperature and physiological
temperature. We will harness the unique thermal/mechanical/electrical properties of gallium to design a
mechanically adaptable electrode array. Gallium has a unique melting point of 29.36 °C at 1 atm pressure.
This indicates gallium will be a rigid solid at room temperature (Young's modulus of 10 GPa) and a liquid (no
mechanical strength) at body temperature. We aim to develop a thermal drawing process to create
gallium/polymer core-shell structure and assemble the structures into microelectrode array. We will assess the
mechanical properties, electrochemical performance, in vivo signal recording ability, and biocompatibility of the
gallium-based microelectrode arrays.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10057878
- **Project number:** 1R21NS111704-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** HUANAN ZHANG
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $419,375
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10057878

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10057878, Gallium Based Mechanically Adaptable Microelectrode Arrays (1R21NS111704-01A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/10057878. Licensed CC0.

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