Projects

Cultured Nuerons on TiO2 Nanatube Arrays.

Student: Suketu Patel
Department: Physics
Advisor: Latika Menon

Abstract

To fabricate nanotubes on TiO2 using fluorine or chlorine for the purpose of a biocompatible base for culturing neuron cells. Then with sustained live cells I will gather electrical recordings from the neurons.

Fabrication
The first part of my research will begin with the fabrication of TiO2 nanotubes. Given the biocompatiable nature of TiO2 in the body it works as a excellent base for the neuron cells.The tubes will be anodized using either fluorine or chlorine acid solution. Other anodization variables such as ion concentration, voltage, anodization time, and water content can be combined to achieve nanotube arrays with length and morphology relevant to my application.
Culturing Neuron Cells
Using these tubes I will then culture and grow neuron cells. With the success of live cultures cells on the TiO2 the next step will be to deposit Au contacts using the electrodeposition method. With this I can gather electrical recordings and stimulate the live cells.
Challenge
The difficulty of all this lies in the ability to culture and sustain live cells and gather the electrical recording from them. But the great outcome of the success of this research lies in the ability to interface neural tissue to nanotechnological instrumentation.
Applications

Success of this research would allow for microelectrodes and other sensors for large scale in vivo sensing, deep brain stimulation for tremor suppression in patients with diseases like Parkinson’s, monitoring of patients for neuro-surgery using subdural grid electrodes, implantable prosthetics for bladder control in paraplegic persons, cochlear and retinal stimulation implants for people with profound loss of hearing, seizure or stroke monitoring systems, and brain-computer machine interfaces.