Neural Microelectrodes: Design, Integration, and Applications

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "B:Biology and Biomedicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 19

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Bioengineering, University of Oregon, 1505 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
Interests: neural stimulation and recording; thin-film materials; chronic implants; implant system integration; implantable encapsulation

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
Interests: basic and translational neural interfaces; (Bio)MEMS; harsh environment sensors; thin film materials; microfabrication; materials characterization; applied surface science; electronic materials; solar cells

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microelectrode arrays serve as critical interfaces between biological systems and electronic devices, enabling the recording and stimulation of neural activity with high spatial and temporal precision. Over the past decades, they have played a foundational role in neuroscience research, neuroprosthetics, and brain–machine interfaces. With recent advances in materials science, microfabrication, and circuit integration, the next generation of microelectrode arrays offers unprecedented capabilities—including higher channel counts, improved biocompatibility, and enhanced mechanical flexibility. These innovations are driving a shift from basic research tools toward clinically and commercially viable technologies, opening new possibilities in both understanding and modulating complex neural systems.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the application of next-generation microelectrode arrays for neural interfacing. As microelectrode technologies continue to evolve in terms of resolution, flexibility, biocompatibility, and scalability, their role in both fundamental neuroscience and translational neurotechnology is rapidly expanding.

We welcome submissions that explore the design and deployment of advanced microelectrode arrays in real-world experimental or clinical settings. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, novel electrode architectures, electronics integration systems including advances in headstage designs, multi-modal integration, packaging, chronic implantation strategies, system-level demonstrations of functionality in neural recording or stimulation, and studies that translate microfabrication innovations into practical, high-performance neural interfaces, as well as those that validate next-generation arrays in vivo or in vitro. Contributions describing application-driven engineering solutions—spanning device characterization, data acquisition, and interface optimization—are strongly encouraged.

Dr. Felix Deku
Dr. Loren Rieth
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neural engineering
  • microelectrode arrays
  • high channel neural systems
  • open source neurotechnology
  • flexible biointerfaces
  • signal acquisition
  • chronic implantation
  • hardware–software co-design

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
Back to TopTop