Research

Brain-Machine Interfaces

Our research on Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs) aims to restore motor function for people with paralysis or limb loss caused by stroke, spinal cord injury, or amputation. Using techniques like electrophysiology, fMRI, and EEG, we develop devices enabling brain control of wheelchairs, prosthetics, and more.

Though controlled machines sound like something out of Star Trek however, it is now a growing field of scientific inquiry. This technology has the potential to help millions of people with limb failure or paralysis. Limb failure and paralysis occurs in a variety of conditions including traumatic limb injury, leading to amputation, motor neuron disease, stroke and spinal cord injury.

In most people with paralysis, the portion of the brain responsible for movement remains intact. A brain machine interface has the potential to restore lost motor function by enabling direct brain control of computer cursors, vehicles, exoskeletons and prosthetic limbs.

We use a range of techniques including electrophysiology, functional MRI and EEG to develop new devices and algorithms to control external interfaces such as a wheelchair and computer.

Neuromodulation (Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Disease)

Neuromodulation alters nervous system activity to treat pain, Parkinson’s, or epilepsy. Using nanomachining and MEMS, we miniaturize devices to the micron scale, exploring focused electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and microfabrication for next-gen neuromodulation systems.

Neuromodulation is the alteration of electrical activity of the nervous system by delivering a stimulus. This is used in the treatment of pain, correction of movement in Parkinson’s disease, or stopping seizures in epilepsy.

Using advances in nanomachining and MEMS we can miniaturise these devices to the micron scale. In our lab we are investigating novel ways to stimulate the neural tissue using focussed electrical stimulation and ultrasound technology and the microfabrication of the next generation of neuromodulation systems.

Nanofabrication

We advance nanofabrication for neural interfaces like the Stentrode, ultrasonic sensors for intracranial pressure, neuromodulation arrays, and subscalp electrodes. These biocompatible devices aim to improve diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment, driving neural engineering innovation.

Our research focuses on advancing nanofabrication techniques to develop cutting-edge neural interfaces for endovascular and intravascular applications. This includes the Stentrode, a minimally invasive brain-computer interface, as well as ultrasonic pressure sensors for precise intracranial pressure monitoring and ultrasonic neuromodulation arrays for non-invasive neural stimulation.

Additionally, we are innovating subscalp electrodes for long-term neural recording and stimulation. These devices leverage advanced materials and micro/nanoscale fabrication processes to achieve high biocompatibility, functionality, and durability. By integrating these technologies, we aim to enhance the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of neurological conditions, pushing the boundaries of neural engineering and clinical translation.

Medical devices and neuro-rehabilitation

Our lab collaborates with clinicians to tackle urgent medical challenges like Parkinson’s diagnosis, non-invasive intracranial pressure monitoring, and fall prevention. Using image analysis, electronics, and motion analysis, we develop innovative medical devices to improve care.

The medical devices field is growing fast with new ways to diagnose and treat disease. Our lab collaborates with clinicians to find problems that need immediate solutions. These range from diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, non-invasive intracranial pressure monitoring and falls detection and prevention. We use a range of techniques including image analysis, and electronics and movement analysis to develop the novel medical devices.