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Tiny tech, big signals: the future of brain-computer interfaces

Georgia Tech's wireless brain sensor detects neural signals with 96% accuracy

13-Apr-2025

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A team of researchers led by Professor Hong Yeo at the Georgia Institute of Technology has developed a groundbreaking nanoscale brain sensor that can classify neural signals with remarkable 96.4% accuracy. The study, published in Science Advances, introduces a discreet, flexible device that can be placed just beneath the scalp, in the tiny spaces between hair follicles, allowing it to be worn comfortably for extended periods.

Traditional brain-computer interface (BCI) systems either rely on bulky, gel-based electrodes that sit on the scalp or invasive implants inside the brain. Georgia Tech's innovation bridges this gap: the new sensor uses imperceptible microneedles that penetrate the skin slightly, enhancing signal clarity without causing discomfort. Its wireless and gel-free design also means it stays in place during daily activities like walking or running.

In testing, users were able to browse phone logs and accept AR video calls hands-free—tasks performed through the sensor’s ability to detect what objects users were focusing on. The device could have major implications in healthcare, especially for people with disabilities, enabling control of prosthetic limbs or communication tools. It also holds promise for consumer technology, particularly in AR/VR systems and hands-free interfaces.

Professor Yeo emphasizes that this development stems from a desire to create practical, wearable technology that supports healthcare. By minimizing invasiveness and maximizing comfort and accuracy, this new class of BCI sensors may soon redefine how we interact with digital devices—and how our brains connect with the world around us.

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Georgia Tech

Public research university and institute of technology.

Hong Yeo

Professor at Georgia Tech’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

Science Advances

Journal that publishes original research and reviews in all disciplines of science

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Brain Interface
Tiny tech, big signals: the future of brain-computer interfaces