Our research primarily lies in an area encompassing mixed-signal integrated circuits for biomedical interfaces, image sensors, power conversions, and energy harvesting. Therefore, we have developed a range of expertise, from signal processing algorithms to transistor-level circuit design techniques to system architecture developments through a few years of interdisciplinary research.

Implantable Neural Interface

There have been many fully implantable neural interfaces in literature but most of the interfaces showed only short-term demonstrations. In order to realize long-term in-vivo experiments with high reliability, We came up with a new neural interface system architecture and are trying to implement it by using the cutting-edge CMOS integrated circuit, MEMS design techniques, and packaging skills.

High Density Neuromodulation

Have you ever heard "Neuralink"? Neuralink is a company led by Elon Musk (a CEO in Tesla and Space-X), making high density neural interfaces for neuromodulation. One of the largest part of my research is also to develop a high density neural interface consuming less energy and occupying smaller area than anything ever reported. Here is our recently developed 256-channel neural interface (left) consuming 9 μW/Ch and 0.009 mm2/Ch, requiring only 80 mm2 for the backend. It means that it consume less power and area than the one recently released by Neuralink (Comparison made with an assembled 2x RHD2132 and a 64-channel micromachined probe)

Highly Efficient Power Converters

Power management unit (PMU) is an one of the most essential building blocks for all electronics. In particular the careful design and distribution of PMU is highly required for low-power integrated circuits. The picture shows a > 80% PCE, switched-capacitor converter controller that is perfectly able to spread spurious tones (<-80 dBm).

Energy Harvesting

Camera is an essential device that can improve quality of our life. But it is hard to supply energy to the cameras located in harsh environment. We have developed a self-powered CMOS image sensor where both of the imaging and energy harvesting are simultaneously performed, so that provides enough energy under 60 klux conditions for the imaging (15 fps) without any external energy sources.