Speaker: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Stieglitz Thomas Stieglitz
Head of Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology
Managing Director Dept. Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK)
Spokesperson BrainLinks-BrainTools Center
When: Friday, May 30, 2025 1:00 PM-2:00 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
Where: Bahen Centre Room 2135
Abstract: Neural interfaces need to provide stable and reliable functional interfaces to the target structure in chronic implantations both in neuroscience experiments and especially in human clinical applications. Proper selection of substrate, insulation, and electrode materials is of paramount importance as well as the knowledge how process parameters in device manufacturing influence material longevity. Aspects such as size, thickness, and shape contribute significantly to structural biocompatibility and modulate post-implantation foreign body reaction. Our work focused on polyimide as the substrate and insulating material with integrated thin film metallization as the conductor in our flexible neural interface approach. Platinum, iridium oxide, glassy carbon, and PEDOT serve as interconnect lines and electrode coatings, respectively, depending on the intended electrode size and application. We have investigated different metal-polyimide compounds after in vitro stimulation but also devices after explantation. Optical imaging during electrical stimulation of platinum in vitro showed actuation of thin-films during Implantation as potential origin of adhesion loss. In addition, accelerated aging led to changes in grain structures in these platinum layers. Post explantation analysis of platinum recording arrays from studies up to two years in ferrets proved these initial observations and showed signs of hydrogen embrittlement. In addition, dimpling of arrays into brain tissue, secondary dura and bone growths showed limitations in structural biocompatibility in exemplary cases. Peripheral nerve electrodes from stimulation in human clinical studies over a period of up to six months has demonstrated the stability of iridium oxide sites and the integrity of the metal-polymer multilayer film using silicon carbide as an adhesion promoter. Analysis of explanted fragments, however, showed the necessity to be able to image the device-tissue interface in one stage without separating devices from biological material. The layer composition and tissue contact to the surface might help to better assess the interface compatibility and the influence of surface roughness and coatings on the foreign body reaction and device functionality and longevity. So far, results are encouraging to continue the translational research path from basic studies to the first human clinical trials, which are necessary to prove that new materials, technologies and devices are applicable in clinical applications and can eventually be translated into an approved medical device.t
Bio: Thomas Stieglitz was born in Goslar in 1965. He received a Diploma degree in electrical Engineering from Technische Hochschule Karlsruhe, Germany, in 1993, and a PhD and habilitation degree in 1998 and 2002 from the University of Saarland, Germany, respectively. In 1993, he joined the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering in St. Ingbert, Germany, where he established the Neural Prosthetics Group. Since 2004, he is a full professor for Biomedical Microtechnology at the Albert-Ludwig-University Freiburg, Germany, currently acting as managing director of the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) at the Faculty of Engineering and serves as deputy spokesperson of the Cluster BrainLinks-BrainTools, board member of the Intelligent Machine Brain Interfacing Technology (IMBIT) Center and spokesperson of the research profile “signals of life” of the university. His research interests include neural interfaces and implants, biocompatible assembling and packaging and brain machine interfaces.
Dr. Stieglitz has co-authored about 200 peer reviewed journal publications, 350 conference proceedings and holds 35 patents. He is co-founder and scientific consultant of CorTec GmbH and neuroloop GmbH, two spin-off companies which focus on neural implant technology and neuromodulation, respectively. Dr. Stieglitz is member of the Materials Research Society, the Society for Neuroscience, Fellow of the IEEE and serves the EMBS in the technical committee of neural engineering. He is with the German Biomedical Engineering Society (DGBMT im VDE) where he is chair of the Neural Prostheses and Intelligent Implants section as well as delegate in the standardization committee DKE. He is also founding member of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS
Looking for a summer job? Considering applying for Summer 2025 Work Study positions? Clubs & Leadership Development, Mentorship & Peer Programs, Orientation, Transition & Engagement and the Multi-Faith Centre are hiring various Work Study roles for the period from May 2025 to August 2025. These roles will be available to apply for on the CLNx Job Boards beginning on April 4,2025, at noon and will close on April 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Additionally, we will be hosting an online information session to provide more information about the roles, as well as the application timeline and tips on how to boost your application.
Date: April 4, 2025
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Registration via Folio: https://folio.utoronto.ca/students/events/detail/5128912
Dear Final-Year Engineering PhD Students,
My name is Cony Qin (MEng, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering), and I am the student project lead for “Understanding Key Factors Impacting Doctoral Education in Engineering Fields”, supervised by Professor Ariel Chan, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry.
We are conducting a survey to explore the key factors that influence doctoral education experiences and academic success among Engineering PhD students at U of T. The survey is open to all final-year PhD students in Engineering, and we would greatly appreciate your participation! The survey will remain open until April 18.
This survey is anonymous, and no personally identifiable information will be collected. Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw consent at any time simply by choosing not to complete the survey.
Survey Link: https://forms.office.com/r/h14JSpHHqw
Thank you for your time and support!
Note: This project has been approved by the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, the University of Toronto’s Research Ethics Board, and the Office of the Vice-President & Provost (Human Research Protocol #47855). It adheres to ethical guidelines for data collection, storage, and privacy protection.
Your participation in this survey is greatly appreciated. Please direct any questions or concerns to cony.qin@mail.utoronto.ca or ariel.chan@utoronto.ca.
Schmidt Science Fellows – Online Briefings for Prospective Candidates:
Session 1
Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Time: 9 am GMT+1 / 10 am CEST / 10 am SAST / 11 am EAT / 4 pm SGT / 7 pm AET
Register here (times best suited to audiences in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania)
Session 2
Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Time: 8 am PST / 11 am EST / 4 pm GMT+1 / 5 pm CEST / 5 pm SAST / 6 pm EAT
Register here (time best suited to audiences in Africa, Europe and North and South America)
MaRS Discovery District
When?
Thursday, March 27, 2025
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where?
Auditorium of the Lower Concourse
Why visit?
- Discover recent innovations that can help you in the lab
- Meet your local sales specialist
- Sandwiches, desserts, and coffee will be served!!
- 25$ gift card to win (must be registered)
Click here (www.SmartShow.ca) to register now and skip the registration line at the show
See the flyer attached for more information
Posting Date: March 17, 2025
Institute of Biomedical Engineering University of Toronto
Job posting – postdoctoral fellow
Area of Research: Neural Engineering
Description of duties: We are seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher to lead a study on peripheral nerve interfacing. The focus of the work will be the chronic stability of methods to record the bioelectric activity of peripheral nerves. Key duties will include managing chronic implant studies in pre-clinical models, refining signal processing and deep learning pipelines for neural data analysis, and maintaining instrumentation. The researcher will be expected to continuously analyze relevant literature to identify appropriate methodologies, draft high-quality scientific publications, support more junior trainees in the research group, and perform other duties as required. The researcher will further be expected to interact effectively with a network of collaborators in the areas of biomedical engineering, neuromodulation, electrical engineering and neuroscience at the University of Toronto and the University Health Network.
Salary: $50,900.00
Please note that should the minimum rates stipulated in the collective agreement fall below the rates stated in this posting, the minimum rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.
Required qualifications:
- PhD related to neural engineering or neuroscience.
- Expertise with pre-clinical models.
- Expertise with neural data analysis and deep learning.
- Expertise with neuroprosthetics.
- Experience with chronically implanted devices will be considered an asset.
- Ability to collaborate with others and operate within multi-disciplinary teams.
All individuals interested in this position must submit a complete CV, cover letter highlighting how the candidate matches the required qualifications, and names of 3 references to
jose.zariffa@utoronto.ca by the closing date. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Closing date: Open until filled Supervisor: Prof. José Zariffa Expected start date: September 1, 2025
Term: 1 year
FTE: 1.0
The normal hours of work are 40 hours per week for a full-time postdoctoral fellow (pro-rated for those holding a partial appointment) recognizing that the needs of the employee’s research and professional development and the needs of the supervisor’s research program may require flexibility in the performance of the employee’s duties and hours of work. This position will require occasional evening and/or weekend work.
Employment as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto is covered by the terms of the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.
This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.