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In a breakthrough that could redefine brain-computer interfaces, scientists have developed one of the smallest wireless brain implants ever created—a device so tiny it can rest on a grain of salt yet still capture and transmit neural activity.
Developed by researchers at Cornell University and collaborators, this microscale implant has demonstrated the ability to wirelessly monitor brain signals in living animals for over a year. Unlike traditional implants that require bulky wires or external hardware, the new system transmits data without physical tethering, opening the door for long-term, minimally invasive neural monitoring.
Powered and connected using light-based optics similar to satellite communications, the implant records electrical activity and beams it to nearby computers, all while causing minimal tissue scarring. Early tests in mice showed stable performance for extended periods, a key step toward translating this technology into human applications.
Experts believe such devices could transform how scientists study the brain and how clinicians treat neurological disorders. Potential uses range from deepening our understanding of complex behaviors and cognition to new ways of managing epilepsy, paralysis, or other brain-related conditions.
While this tiny implant remains in research stages, its success suggests a future where neural interfaces are remarkably small, minimally invasive, and powerful enough to decode the brain’s activity in real time.
