In Beijing, this direction has been singled out and included in the list of six future industries.
A Chinese research team has reported the first successful orbital test of an implantable neurointerface. This concerns a wireless "brain-computer" system developed at the Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi'an. The device was launched into orbit in December on a separate experimental platform. The test showed that the sensitive neuroelectronics maintain functionality beyond the atmosphere and withstand the conditions of space.
During the experiment, the module operated in an environment that mimics the composition and properties of human body fluids. In this mode, it recorded an electroencephalogram, that is, it registered the electrical activity of the brain, and maintained a stable signal even under the loads associated with orbital flight. The researchers obtained data on how the equipment behaves and what level of interference arises in microgravity. Previously, there was uncertainty about whether neurointerfaces could operate for long periods under such conditions without failures and component degradation.
The results obtained concern not only the reliability of the electronics themselves. According to the team, the measurements help to better understand how the nervous system itself reacts to microgravity. The report mentions indicators that can be used to assess the lifespan of electrodes in orbit and track changes in the nature of neural activity. However, it is not yet possible to draw definitive conclusions about what this means: the details of the platform's device and the exact scheme of the experiment have not yet been disclosed.
Prolonged stay beyond Earth is quite a test for the body. In microgravity, fluids redistribute, and blood and cerebrospinal fluid shift upward toward the head. This effect is called cephalad shift. Medical observations in recent years show that during long missions, the brain ventricles may enlarge. These are cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid, and their expansion is associated with changes in thinking speed and the functioning of cleansing systems.
Continuous recording of neural signals allows for real-time monitoring of such processes and earlier detection of dangerous deviations. Such monitoring is especially important for long-duration flights planned for expeditions to Mars.
The project also describes a new design of electrodes. Rigid metal options often fail due to corrosion, do not bend well, and can injure sensitive tissues. A group led by Professors Chang Honglun and Ji Bowen proposed a flexible array that conforms to the shape of the brain's surface and adheres without excessive pressure. The soft structure wears less during prolonged operation and allows for cleaner signals without damage.
Animal testing showed that this option is significantly more stable than standard metal solutions, with differences in signal stability reaching hundreds of times. The system is suitable not only for reading activity but also for prolonged neurostimulation. The developers also claim compatibility with ultra-high-field MRI without loss of functionality and without additional risk. The work received an award for the best student presentation at the 39th International Conference on Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS).
The development of neurointerfaces is actively pursued both in China and the United States. Chinese authorities have singled out this direction and included it in the list of six future industries in the national five-year plan. According to official goals, by 2027, systems should be more widely used in medicine and industry, and by 2030, a large industry ecosystem is planned to be formed.
This concerns both neurorehabilitation on Earth and the protection of the cognitive state of crews during long flights to the stars.
