Kansas State University Chemistry Department

Prof. Jun Li’s research on nanofiber stimulation of neurons cited in Nov. 2008 issue of Scientific American

The November 2008 issue of Scientific American features “Plugging into the Brain” as its cover story. In an overview article about technologies capable of interfacing the brain and machines, Senior Editor Gary Stix notes that ultra-precise connections capable of addressing neurons and neural tissues are possible using devices based on nanoscale conductive fibers of the type that Prof. Li and his group are working on. Jun foresees his systems as a way to trigger neuron responses to counteract symptoms of Parkinson’s disease or depression, or to control prosthetic limbs, or even to prevent the muscle degeneration experienced by astronauts in zero-gravity environments. The full article is available here:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=jacking-into-the-brain