IMTEK, University of Freiburg

Maria Asplund - PhD, Principal Investigator

Maria Asplund is a group leader at the Albert-Ludwigs Universität Freiburg and Centre of Excellence BrainLinks-BrainTools and the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), Microsystems Materials Laboratory. Her research is focused on the development and validation of bioelectronic microtechnology, in particular electrode materials, polymer based flexible microtechnology and biocompatibility.

In NeuraViPeR, her team will develop the high-density stimulation and recording flexible electrode arrays for neural probe implantation into brain tissue

Patrick Ruther - PhD, Principal Investigator

Patrick Ruther is a senior group leader and head of the Neural Implant Group at the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), Microsystems Materials Laboratory. His research is focused on the development and validation of CMOS-compatible implants for electro- and optophysiology based on stiff and flexible substrate materials.

In NeuraViPeR, his team will address the high-yield interfacing between flexible neural implants and CMOS ASICs developed by project partner imec as well as tools for neural probe implantation into brain tissue.

Christian Böhler - Postdoctoral Researcher

Christian Böhler is a postdoc at the University of Freiburg, Germany. He obtained his master and doctoral degree in Microsystems Engineering in Freiburg, and continued as a postdoc in the Asplund group. His main research focus is electrode materials and microfabrication of flexible neuroelectronic implants. 

In NeuraViPeR, he will be part of developing the electrode technology, in particular refining processes for fabrication and validating long term stability of the electrode materials and implants. 

Ahmed Saeed - PhD Student

Ahmed Saeed joined the Bioelectronic Microtechnology (BEMT) group at University og Freiburg in June 2021 as a PhD student, and is developing next generation of flexible bioelectronics for visual restoration. In the context of the EU funded project NeuraviPeR Ahmed develops polyimide-based multi-layer implantable probes with porous electrode materials and a chip-based interface. Furthermore, Ahmed develops a new optoelectrical testing technique that is capable of simultaneously and instantaneously detect dysfunctional electrode sites over a large scaled number of fabricated probes.