What was the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Most likely, you swung your legs out of bed, placed your feet on the floor, and stood up—without a second thought. For most of us, walking is effortless and automatic.
However, for thousands of Australians living with spinal cord injuries, this simple act feels impossibly distant.
When the Signal Breaks, the Body Still Listens
For many people with spinal cord injuries, the body itself remains healthy. The real problem lies in communication. Damage to the spinal cord prevents the brain’s signals from reaching the rest of the body—much like a severed phone line.
So, what if we could reconnect that signal? What if we could bridge the gap created by spinal injury and restore communication between the brain and the body?
This question has driven my research for the past six years.
Building a Bridge with Ultra-Tiny Electrodes
Over the last six years, I have been developing ultra-small carbon fiber electrodes designed to interface directly with the brain. This work is currently available on the bioRxiv preprint server. Now, through the RE-MOVE initiative and in collaboration with Canadian researchers, we are adapting this technology for use in the spinal cord.
The goal is ambitious yet precise: to implant these electrodes into the spinal cord so they can communicate directly with individual neurons, using the body’s own electrical and chemical signals.
Speaking the Nervous System’s Language
As reported by medicalxpress, these electrodes do more than transmit electricity. They “speak” the nervous system’s native language. Moreover, we have strengthened them by coating each electrode with an ultra-thin layer of diamond, making them tougher and more durable than ever before.
Each carbon fiber electrode is only a fraction of the width of a human hair. This tiny size allows them to interact with neural tissue at an unprecedented level of precision.
Why Size Changes Everything
Many existing electrodes are poorly suited for spinal applications. They are often too bulky, too rigid, or too flexible to work safely in such a delicate and constantly moving environment.
This is where carbon fiber excels.
You may recognize carbon fiber from aircraft or high-performance vehicles. At its core, it consists of countless ultra-thin strands—each about one-fifth the width of a human hair. These strands conduct electricity efficiently while remaining flexible, strong, and biocompatible.
As a result, carbon fiber electrodes can move with the body, penetrate tissue safely, and avoid rejection by the immune system. In short, they strike the perfect balance—the Goldilocks of conductive biomaterials.
Listening to a Single Neuron
Because these electrodes are so small, they can communicate with individual neurons. By contrast, larger electrodes—such as those used in deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease—interact with groups of neurons from a distance. That approach works well for certain conditions but lacks the precision required for fine motor control.
Walking, for example, is an extraordinarily complex task. It requires constant feedback and precise coordination. To restore this function, we must capture every signal a neuron sends—not the neural “background noise” from surrounding cells.
Naturally, achieving this level of detail requires more electrodes. Fortunately, the small size of carbon fibers allows multiple electrodes to be implanted without causing damage.
Strengthening Carbon Fiber with Diamond
Although carbon fiber already performs exceptionally well, we wanted to push its limits further.
Our laboratory in the School of Physics specializes in diamond growth, and diamond is one of the toughest materials known. Through a collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, led by Dr. Wei Tong, we coated our carbon fiber electrodes with an ultra-thin diamond layer. This work has been published in Advanced Healthcare Materials.
This diamond coating dramatically improves durability, particularly for electrodes that must both send and receive signals over long periods.
Enabling a Two-Way Conversation
Traditional carbon fiber electrodes can listen to neurons effectively, but their long-term ability to stimulate neurons remains uncertain. Over time, repeated electrical signaling can degrade the material.
With the diamond coating, our electrodes can support a stable, two-way conversation with neurons—listening and speaking—without wearing out. Importantly, they retain their sensitivity to neurochemicals such as dopamine, which could play a critical role in future therapies.
Early Progress, Big Possibilities
Initial tests have already shown that these carbon fiber electrodes can be inserted deep enough into spinal tissue to communicate with neurons. This marks a significant first milestone.
Next, we aim to demonstrate that these electrodes can meaningfully interact with spinal neurons to both understand and control movement.
If successful, this technology could bridge the communication gaps caused by spinal injury and restore the connection between the brain and the body.
Small Electrodes, Life-Changing Impact
These electrodes may be tiny, but their potential impact is enormous. One day, they could help someone who never imagined walking again experience the simple joy of swinging their legs out of bed and taking their first steps forward.