New US-made brain–computer interface runs on one tiny silicon chip

Researchers from Columbia University, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new brain-computer interface (BCI) platform called the Biological Interface System to Cortex (BISC). This system features an ultra-thin, single-chip implant made from a 50-micrometer-thin CMOS integrated circuit that rests flexibly on the cortical surface. Unlike conventional BCIs that rely on bulky assemblies of multiple components, BISC integrates 65,536 electrodes, 1,024 recording channels, and 16,384 stimulation channels on a single chip with all signal processing, wireless communication, and power management included. The implant wirelessly transmits neural data at speeds up to 100 Mbps—over 100 times faster than comparable devices—via a wearable relay station that also provides power and Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling seamless brain-to-external device communication. The BISC platform is designed to support a wide range of applications, including epilepsy management and restoring motor,