Cornell University

Kāngnàiěr Dàxué

康奈尔大学

to research and develop

yánfā

研发

resultative particle

chū

出

compared to

bǐ

比

grain of salt

yán lì

盐粒

even smaller

gèng xiǎo

更小

structural particle

de

的

wireless

wúxiàn

无线

neural / nerve

shénjīng

神经

implant

zhírù

植入

device / apparatus

zhuāngzhì

装置

。

New Words

News in English

Cornell Team Develops Grain-of-Salt-Sized Wireless Brain Implant

A Cornell University research team has developed a wireless neural implant smaller than a grain of salt that can continuously track and transmit brain activity signals for over a year. Named MOTE and powered by laser light, the device could drive major advances in brain-computer interface technology.

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a miniature wireless neural implant device that is smaller than a grain of salt. The device, named MOTE (Microscale Optoelectronic Tetherless Electrode), measures approximately 300 micrometers in length and 70 micrometers in width, making it the smallest and most advanced wireless neural implant device currently available worldwide that can transmit brain electrical signals. The device is powered by infrared laser beams, which can safely penetrate brain tissue without requiring external batteries or wired connections. In experiments with mice, researchers successfully implanted MOTE into the brain and recorded neuron electrical activity signals for more than a year continuously. The research team indicates that the device shows promise for collecting brain data during MRI scans, a capability that existing implant devices cannot achieve. The research findings were published in Nature Electronics in November 2025 and are considered an important advancement in the brain-computer interface field.

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