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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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This Stretchy Brain Device Could Let You Control Machines with Your Mind

Recent technological breakthroughs are transforming the way humans interact with machines and artificial limbs. Smart prosthetics—artificial limbs, joints, or organs that can replace damaged or lost body parts—are no longer just science fiction. Today, innovations in materials science, neuroscience, and engineering are opening the door to prosthetics and devices that can connect directly with the human brain. These brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) are designed to record neural activity and even allow people to control machines using thought alone.

One of the latest and most exciting developments in this field comes from researchers at the Chinese Institute for Brain Research, the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology in Beijing, and other collaborating institutes. They have developed a flexible, implantable sensor capable of recording the activity of neurons in non-human primate brains. The innovation is based on kirigami, the Japanese art of cutting and folding paper to create intricate, flexible structures. By borrowing principles from kirigami, the team has created a brain implant that can stretch, bend, and conform to the complex movements of the brain, without damaging delicate tissues. Their work was recently published in Nature Electronics.

Why Flexible Brain Implants Matter

Brain–computer interfaces require arrays of microelectrodes that can interact with hundreds or even thousands of neurons over extended periods. However, one of the biggest challenges in creating such arrays is accommodating the brain’s natural movements and deformations. Even small shifts can make rigid implants ineffective or unsafe.

The new kirigami-inspired device overcomes this challenge. As the researchers Runjiu Fang, Huihui Tian, and colleagues explain, “Creating arrays that can effectively accommodate the substantial movements and deformations of primate brains remains challenging. We report a kirigami-inspired flexible microelectrode array that has a reconfigurable spiral thread design and can be used for large-scale, long-term neuronal activity recordings in the primate brain.”

How the Kirigami Sensor Works

The implant is made of ultra-thin, spiral-shaped electrode threads. These threads are stretchable and bendable, which allows the implant to expand or shrink with the brain’s movements without breaking. Each thread is coated with hydrogel, a soft, water-rich material that gently rests on brain tissue, minimizing irritation and damage.

During implantation, the array is delivered onto the brain’s surface using a water-dissolvable carrier, which allows multiple spiral threads to be placed efficiently across a large area. The base of each thread floats on the brain surface, adjusting as the brain moves inside the skull. This design ensures continuous, reliable contact with neurons while minimizing stress on delicate tissues.

In tests on macaque monkeys, the device successfully recorded the activity of hundreds of neurons simultaneously. The researchers demonstrated that the system could scale to monitor even larger sections of the brain. “We show that the implanted array can provide simultaneous activity recordings from over 700 cortical neurons in a macaque monkey brain,” the authors noted. They also used recurrent neural network models to decode the recorded signals into upper-limb movements, showing that the device could translate neural activity into precise motor commands.

Implications for Prosthetics and Mind-Controlled Devices

The ability to accurately record and decode brain activity has significant implications for prosthetics and assistive technologies. Using machine learning, the team was able to predict macaque arm and hand movements based on neural signals. In the future, this approach could allow humans to control robotic limbs or other devices directly with their thoughts.

For patients who have lost limbs or are paralyzed, such technology could revolutionize rehabilitation. Imagine a prosthetic arm that moves exactly as the user intends, controlled purely by brain signals. Beyond prosthetics, these implants could also power communication devices for people unable to speak, allowing them to interact with computers or other machines using only their thoughts.

Potential for Neuroscience Research

Beyond practical applications, kirigami-inspired implants could become powerful research tools. Because the sensor can record from hundreds of neurons at once, scientists could map the activity of specific neuronal populations in unprecedented detail. This could help researchers study complex behaviors, mental functions, and neurological disorders, providing insights that were previously impossible to obtain.

For example, the implant could help scientists understand how the brain controls fine motor skills, processes sensory information, or forms memories. In the long term, this knowledge could inform the development of new treatments for brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and other neurological conditions.

Looking Ahead: Human Trials and Clinical Applications

Currently, the device has only been tested in non-human primates, as its safety for human use has not yet been clinically verified. However, with continued development, future clinical trials could enable its use in healthcare settings. Once approved for humans, kirigami-inspired implants could provide brain-responsive prosthetic limbs, advanced rehabilitation devices, and tools for restoring communication in patients with severe disabilities.

The research also highlights the growing role of interdisciplinary collaboration in technological innovation. By combining concepts from art (kirigami), materials science (hydrogels), neuroscience, and artificial intelligence, researchers have created a device that pushes the boundaries of both neuroscience and prosthetic technology.

Conclusion

The kirigami-inspired flexible brain implant represents a major step forward in the development of smart prosthetics and brain–machine interfaces. Its unique ability to conform to brain tissue while recording hundreds of neurons simultaneously opens new possibilities for healthcare, rehabilitation, and neuroscience research.

While human trials are still in the future, the technology offers a tantalizing glimpse into a world where thought-controlled prosthetics, rehabilitation devices, and communication tools become a reality. As researchers continue to refine these systems, we may soon witness the integration of the human mind with machines in ways that were once purely the stuff of science fiction.

The fusion of art, science, and technology in this implant underscores an exciting truth: sometimes, solutions to complex scientific problems can come from the most unexpected places—even from the folds and cuts of paper.

Reference: Runjiu Fang et al., Flexible kirigami microelectrode arrays for neuronal activity recordings in non-human primate brains, Nature Electronics (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-025-01560-6


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