MEAs and 3D nanoelectrodes: electrodeposition as tool for a precisely controlled nanofabrication

Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) are gaining increasing importance for the investigation of signaling processes between electrogenic cells. However, efficient cell–chip coupling for robust and long-term electrophysiological recording and stimulation still remains a challenge. A possible approach for the improvement of the cell–electrode contact is the utilization of three-dimensional structures. In recent years, various 3D electrode geometries have been developed, but we are still lacking a fabrication approach that enables the formation of different 3D structures on a single chip in a controlled manner. This, however, is needed to enable a direct and reliable comparison of the recording capabilities of the different structures. Here, we present a method for a precisely controlled deposition of nanoelectrodes, enabling the fabrication of multiple, well-defined types of structures on our 64 electrode MEAs towards a rapid-prototyping approach to 3D electrodes.