Transparent, metal-free PEDOT:PSS neural interfaces for simultaneous recording of low-noise electrophysiology and artifact-free two-photon imaging

Abstract Simultaneous two-photon imaging and electrophysiological recordings offer considerable potential for advancing neurological research and therapies. However, traditional metal-based neural interfaces suffer from photoelectric artifacts, while existing transparent implants rely on opaque inte...

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Main Authors: Hyun Woo Kim, Jiwon Kim, Jong Youl Kim, Kyubeen Kim, Ju Young Lee, Taemin Kim, Shinil Cho, Jong Bin An, Hyun Jae Kim, Lulu Sun, Sunghoon Lee, Kenjiro Fukuda, Takao Someya, Mingyu Sang, Young Uk Cho, Jong Eun Lee, Ki Jun Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59303-2
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author Hyun Woo Kim
Jiwon Kim
Jong Youl Kim
Kyubeen Kim
Ju Young Lee
Taemin Kim
Shinil Cho
Jong Bin An
Hyun Jae Kim
Lulu Sun
Sunghoon Lee
Kenjiro Fukuda
Takao Someya
Mingyu Sang
Young Uk Cho
Jong Eun Lee
Ki Jun Yu
author_facet Hyun Woo Kim
Jiwon Kim
Jong Youl Kim
Kyubeen Kim
Ju Young Lee
Taemin Kim
Shinil Cho
Jong Bin An
Hyun Jae Kim
Lulu Sun
Sunghoon Lee
Kenjiro Fukuda
Takao Someya
Mingyu Sang
Young Uk Cho
Jong Eun Lee
Ki Jun Yu
author_sort Hyun Woo Kim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Simultaneous two-photon imaging and electrophysiological recordings offer considerable potential for advancing neurological research and therapies. However, traditional metal-based neural interfaces suffer from photoelectric artifacts, while existing transparent implants rely on opaque interconnect lines to address conductivity limitations. Herein, we developed an optically transparent poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) neural electrode array with transparent electrodes and interconnect lines. Through a formamide, phosphoric acid, and ethylene glycol treatment, the metal-free PEDOT:PSS array achieved an impedance of 45.8 kΩ (at 1 kHz) even with a 20 × 20 µm² size. This advanced performance surpasses previous metal-free transparent neural interfaces and facilitates precise electrophysiological recordings, including extracellular action potentials and low-noise local field potentials. In vivo experiments demonstrated artifact-free two-photon imaging and reliable neural signal acquisition, while biocompatibility tests confirmed negligible cytotoxicity or immune responses. The developed metal-free PEDOT:PSS array provides a robust platform for neural recording and bioimaging, representing an advancement in transparent neural interface technology and integrated optical modalities.
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spelling doaj-art-1d5a077817074da8a6eeb7a9bfdbbae52025-08-20T01:47:32ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-04-0116111610.1038/s41467-025-59303-2Transparent, metal-free PEDOT:PSS neural interfaces for simultaneous recording of low-noise electrophysiology and artifact-free two-photon imagingHyun Woo Kim0Jiwon Kim1Jong Youl Kim2Kyubeen Kim3Ju Young Lee4Taemin Kim5Shinil Cho6Jong Bin An7Hyun Jae Kim8Lulu Sun9Sunghoon Lee10Kenjiro Fukuda11Takao Someya12Mingyu Sang13Young Uk Cho14Jong Eun Lee15Ki Jun Yu16Functional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Lab, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guDepartment of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guDepartment of Anatomy, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, 24, Beomil-ro 579beon-gilFunctional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Lab, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guFunctional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Lab, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guFunctional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Lab, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guFunctional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Lab, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guElectronic Device Laboratory, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guElectronic Device Laboratory, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guThin-Film Device Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, WakoThin-Film Device Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, WakoThin-Film Device Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, WakoThin-Film Device Laboratory, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, WakoDepartment of Electronic Engineering Gachon University, 1342, Seongnam-daero Sujeong-guDepartment of Biomedical & Robotics Engineering, Incheon National University, Yeonsu-guDepartment of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guFunctional Bio-integrated Electronics and Energy Management Lab, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guAbstract Simultaneous two-photon imaging and electrophysiological recordings offer considerable potential for advancing neurological research and therapies. However, traditional metal-based neural interfaces suffer from photoelectric artifacts, while existing transparent implants rely on opaque interconnect lines to address conductivity limitations. Herein, we developed an optically transparent poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) neural electrode array with transparent electrodes and interconnect lines. Through a formamide, phosphoric acid, and ethylene glycol treatment, the metal-free PEDOT:PSS array achieved an impedance of 45.8 kΩ (at 1 kHz) even with a 20 × 20 µm² size. This advanced performance surpasses previous metal-free transparent neural interfaces and facilitates precise electrophysiological recordings, including extracellular action potentials and low-noise local field potentials. In vivo experiments demonstrated artifact-free two-photon imaging and reliable neural signal acquisition, while biocompatibility tests confirmed negligible cytotoxicity or immune responses. The developed metal-free PEDOT:PSS array provides a robust platform for neural recording and bioimaging, representing an advancement in transparent neural interface technology and integrated optical modalities.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59303-2
spellingShingle Hyun Woo Kim
Jiwon Kim
Jong Youl Kim
Kyubeen Kim
Ju Young Lee
Taemin Kim
Shinil Cho
Jong Bin An
Hyun Jae Kim
Lulu Sun
Sunghoon Lee
Kenjiro Fukuda
Takao Someya
Mingyu Sang
Young Uk Cho
Jong Eun Lee
Ki Jun Yu
Transparent, metal-free PEDOT:PSS neural interfaces for simultaneous recording of low-noise electrophysiology and artifact-free two-photon imaging
Nature Communications
title Transparent, metal-free PEDOT:PSS neural interfaces for simultaneous recording of low-noise electrophysiology and artifact-free two-photon imaging
title_full Transparent, metal-free PEDOT:PSS neural interfaces for simultaneous recording of low-noise electrophysiology and artifact-free two-photon imaging
title_fullStr Transparent, metal-free PEDOT:PSS neural interfaces for simultaneous recording of low-noise electrophysiology and artifact-free two-photon imaging
title_full_unstemmed Transparent, metal-free PEDOT:PSS neural interfaces for simultaneous recording of low-noise electrophysiology and artifact-free two-photon imaging
title_short Transparent, metal-free PEDOT:PSS neural interfaces for simultaneous recording of low-noise electrophysiology and artifact-free two-photon imaging
title_sort transparent metal free pedot pss neural interfaces for simultaneous recording of low noise electrophysiology and artifact free two photon imaging
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59303-2
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