Data from: Advancing neural interfaces: A framework for the fabrication and characterization of freestanding micro-nanodevices

Freestanding micro-nanodevices stand out as excellent candidates for the
next generation of neural interfaces. Their wireless nature, coupled with
their subcellular dimensions, promises to enable minimally invasive
neuromodulation with high spatial resolution within three-dimensional
tissues. Nevertheless, their practical implementation is hindered by
technical challenges. Specifically, fabricating and harvesting
freestanding devices with subcellular sizes proves exceedingly difficult,
and characterizing their functionality in a representative freestanding
configuration presents an even greater challenge. In this work, we present
a comprehensive framework for fabricating, collecting, and characterizing
freestanding micro-nanodevices to advance progress in neural interfaces.
We developed three distinct micro-nanofabrication methods tailored for
manufacturing freestanding micro-nanodevices with varying characteristics.
These methods include a very large-scale integration process for
manufacturing and manipulating freestanding microdevices (2 to 200 µm)
with high throughput, a cell-friendly approach utilizing only
biocompatible materials and solvents for rapid microdevice production, and
a protocol for fabricating and handling freestanding devices with even
smaller size scale (200 nm to 3 µm). We subsequently devised an effective
approach to rapidly characterize the electrical modulation capabilities of
freestanding micro-nanodevices in a cell-like environment, employing
artificial bilayer lipid membranes. We showcased this method by studying
the variation of bilayer lipid membrane transmembrane potential in
response to a light stimulus when sprinkled with organic semiconductor
devices. Ultimately, we established an analytical model of the
characterization system to translate experimental findings made with
bilayer lipid membrane into single cells. By overcoming the technical
limitations hindering the fabrication, manipulation, and characterization
of freestanding micro-nanodevices, we hope that our research efforts will
contribute to accelerating progress in the development of next-generation
neural interfaces and unlock the full potential of neuromodulation
technologies in fundamental and clinical research.