Chinese scientists use liquid metal to create ‘X-rat’ in the hope of treating humans with nerve damage
- Implant is designed to work as an electrode, providing a possible solution for artificial nerve therapy and brain-computer interface, say Beijing researchers
- Liquid metal has unique physical properties – the malleability of a fluid and the outstanding conductivity of metal
A research team in Beijing has implanted liquid metal into the body of a rat to induce movement using an artificial signal, with the hope of eventually helping treat humans with nerve damage.
Unlike the fictional adamantium injected into Wolverine in the X-Men films, the liquid metal will not immediately strengthen a rat’s physical power.
Instead, it is designed to work as an electrode, providing a possible solution for artificial nerve therapy and brain-computer interface, according to the researchers.
By injecting a gallium-based liquid metal into a silicone tube, the scientists fabricated an artificial electrode called a cuff electrode.
The cuff electrode, which is then connected to the peripheral nervous system that sends messages from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body, is used to collect signals from peripheral nerves or, conversely, to stimulate the nerves.
It has traditionally been made with platinum or iridium. This is the first time scientists have tried to make a cuff electrode with liquid metal.
The result seems promising, according to the team led by Tang Rongyu of the Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Intelligent Robots and Systems at the Beijing Institute of Technology.
“The excellent performance of the liquid metal cuff electrode shows that it is a promising new type of neural interfacing device,” said Tang in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics on August 9.
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Liquid metal has unique physical properties – the pliability of a fluid and the outstanding conductivity of metal.
By confining the liquid metal in a soft silicone tube, Tang and his colleagues said they could prevent it from seeping into the rat. The team said the electrode adapted to the animal’s changing posture.
Meanwhile, the high conductivity afforded by the metal secured the stable transmission of signals in both directions.
“The electrodes retain long-term effectiveness in transmitting nerve signals with a high signal-to-noise ratio during two-week experiments,” according to Tang in the paper.
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Tang and his colleagues said they proved the effectiveness of their artificial electrode with a simple experiment monitoring the nerve signals while a rat walked on a treadmill.
Signals were monitored in the sciatic nerve, which controls leg muscles, and then used to create a circuit signal similar to those generated when a person is walking. It was, in turn, sent to the sciatic nerve of a rat in free movement, sparking a large number of brain signals, according to the researchers.
While the rat’s legs were moving, it did not stand up. The paper said the rodent’s brain activity suggested it was sleep walking.
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The experiment proved the liquid metal electrode played a role similar to the peripheral nerve. According to the researchers, it has potential to become the next-generation artificial peripheral nerve and could replace the function of the biological nerves.
With further research on the nervous system, an “X-rat” driven by electric signals could be possible.
“In the future, it may serve as part of a neural probe or stimulator system in the treatment of neural disease, as a neural information conveyor in brain-machine interfacing systems, or even as a neural prosthesis taking the place of the injured nerve or spinal cord,” Tang said in the paper.
