Chinese scientists have drawn inspiration from the Japanese paper-cutting art of kirigami to develop stretchable microelectrode arrays, aiming to overcome limitations in electrode technology such as that used by Neuralink. These arrays were implanted into macaque monkeys, where they flexed with brain tissue to record hundreds of neurons simultaneously. The research was published in the February 5 issue of Nature Electronics.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have used principles from the Japanese art of kirigami, a form of paper-cutting, to create stretchable microelectrode arrays. This innovation seeks to address limitations in current electrode technologies, such as thread retraction issues seen in Neuralink.
The team wrote: “The development of brain-computer interfaces requires implantable microelectrode arrays that can interface with numerous neurons across large spatial and temporal scales.” When implanted into macaque monkeys, these soft arrays moved and flexed with the brain tissue, enabling the simultaneous recording of hundreds of neurons.
Brain-computer interfaces establish a direct connection between brain activity and computers. They use electrodes to capture neural signals, which are then analyzed to carry out tasks like controlling robotic arms. Key terms from the report include microelectrodes, Scientific American, Chinese Academy of Sciences, macaca monkey, Japanese art of kirigami, Chinese scientists, primate brain, brain-computer interfaces, Elon Musk, Nature Electronics, neuronal activity recorders, thread retraction, and Neuralink.
The study appeared in the February 5 issue of Nature Electronics, as reported by the South China Morning Post on February 14, 2026.
