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Research into neural implants aims to develop sophisticated bionic devices that can detect abnormal neural activity and deliver an appropriate treatment automatically. This technology will provide the theoretical and practical basis for developing devices that can address a range of neurological disorders.

For example, researchers at the Bionics Institute are currently developing a method for monitoring the brain's activity in people with epilepsy by measuring responses to low-intensity electrical stimulation. This work could potentially lead to an implantable therapeutic device for the automatic prevention of epileptic seizures.

This work is being done in collaboration with Clinical Neurosciences at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne.

Projects: 

• Developing an epilepsy treatment device
• Predicting epileptic seizures
• Developing an advanced deep brain stimulation system

 Recent findings and outcomes:

• Biocompatibility of carbon nanotubes