Objective
Intramuscular electromyography (iEMG) is the clinical gold standard for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders, yet the dominant material used by doctors is stainless-steel, and has remained unchanged for decades. These electrodes provide only a single or few recording channel per wire, suffer from corrosion and nickel sensitization risks, require separate polymer insulation that doubles the wire diameter and introduces delamination failure modes, and are MRI-incompatible. During the ERC-funded GRASPAGAIN project (StG 101118089), we discovered that niobium fine wire electrodes offer a transformative alternative. Niobium provides an answer to these problems — all in one MRI-safe, non-allergenic material that eliminates the need for separate polymer insulation. Preliminary human recordings confirmed that niobium electrodes yield more discriminable motor units per insertion than co-implanted stainless-steel, consistent with higher spatial selectivity from a smaller recording area. This project will develop and validate a new class of niobium electrodes (NbMEA), enabling multi-channel recordings from a single implant, lowering risk and pain for patients. The fabrication exploits niobium’s unique properties, simplifying manufacturing and supply chain relative to polymer-insulated electrodes. We will optimize the microfabrication pipeline, validate multi-channel motor unit decomposition in human volunteers, file a patent, and prepare the business plan for a spin-out targeting the USD 1–2 billion global EMG market. The NbMEA will establish a new device class for clinical neurophysiology, motor control research, and chronic neural interfaces, enabling multi-channel iEMG recording across muscle anatomies at unprecedented scale from a single needle insertion
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2026-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
91058 Erlangen
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.