This brain implant is smaller than a grain of rice

This Brain Implant Is Smaller Than a Grain of Rice

Neural implants have become smaller but often remain bulky and can cause complications. Researchers at Cornell University introduced a new brain implant that may change this.

The microscale optoelectronic tetherless electrode (MOTE) is tiny enough to fit on a grain of rice, significantly smaller than existing implants. Its design could also be adapted for use in other sensitive parts of the body.

“As far as we know, this is the smallest neural implant that will measure electrical activity in the brain and then report it out wirelessly,” said Alyosha Molnar, electrical engineer and co-author of the study.

MOTE is just 300 microns in length and 70 microns in width, roughly the size of a human hair. It encodes brain signals into short pulses of infrared light, sending the data safely through brain tissue and bone to an external receiver.

The concept of MOTE was first envisioned by Molnar in 2001, but it took over 20 years for development to advance. The implant uses a semiconductor diode made from aluminum gallium arsenide.

Key Features of MOTE

Wireless transmission of brain signals
Tiny size: smaller than a grain of rice
Optoelectronic design using infrared light
Safe passage of signals through brain tissue and bone
Potential adaptability for other delicate body areas

Author’s summary: The MOTE implant offers a groundbreaking, miniature wireless method to monitor brain activity, promising safer and less invasive neural interface technology.

Popular Science — 2025-11-07

This Brain Implant Is Smaller Than a Grain of Rice

Key Features of MOTE

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