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Viscoelastic Interactions of the Brain Tissue with Brain-Computer Interfaces

Project description

Advancing neurotechnology research in Bulgaria

A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a technology that collects brain signals and transmits them to an external device that outputs commands. Insight into the interaction between BCI implants and the brain tissue will help maximise the potential of the technology. The EU-funded VIBraTE project aims to support the establishment of a BCI lab at the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Among the objectives of the lab will be to model and investigate the properties, geometry and mechanical effects of the interaction of the brain with the implanted electrodes. The project will improve the international research visibility of the Institute in the field of neurotechnology.

Objective

IICT is an autonomous institute within the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The VIBraTE project aims at enhancing the scientific excellence of IICT and its capacity to gain competitive research funding by establishing an ERA Chair focused on a better understanding of the interactions of implants with the brain tissue and the technologies to interface the human brain (i.e. brain-computer interfacing, BCI) and Deep Brain Stimulation devices. The high-level scientific objectives of the action are to: (i) investigate the viscoelastic coupling between the brain and implanted electrodes; (ii) optimize the interface geometry for invasive and non-invasive BCIs; (iii) model and investigate diffusion of substances around implants; (iv) model the mechanical effects on recorded brain activity. The Chair will open an experimental BCI lab, which will test model predictions in brain tissue phantom models and will close the loop between theory and experiment. The action will also establish a project management and technology office that will support the long-term funding strategy of the Chair and stakeholder interactions. The long-term ambition of the action is to enable the formation of a Bulgarian high-tech pole in neurotechnology. The prospective Chair relies on the combined expertise of the ERA Chair holder in neurotechnology and mathematical modeling with the relevant expertise in neural network models and scientific computing and signal processing, already available at the host. The VIBraTE chair will allow for the formation of a group with top expertise in Bulgaria, which will participate as an equal partner in international research programs and will become a central knowledge hub for neurotechnology in the country.

Coordinator

INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
Net EU contribution
€ 2 047 797,50
Address
UL. ACAD G BONCHEV BL 2
1113 Sofia
Bulgaria

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Region
Югозападна и Южна централна България Югозападен София (столица)
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 2 047 797,50