Cochlear Optically stimulated Reduced size high densiTy based on Removable Gallium Nitride LEDs – CORTIORGAN

CORTIORGAN will demonstrate innovative manufacturing processes resulting in a new class of optogenetics-based cochlear implants using optical stimulation of auditory nerves instead of electrical stimulation. Due to the high electrical conductivity of tissue, optical stimulation of the Organ of Corti can instead result in better spatial resolution and thus better implants. The goal of CORTIORGAN is to develop processing that will result in mechanically removable ultra-thin (< 5 micron), 30µm x 60 µm InGaN LEDs that will be mechanically removed from a substrate and packaged onto flexible cochlear implants. This depends on innovative 2-D materials growth that combines 2-D h-BN with growth of 3-D III-N semiconductor devices, allowing for the novel process. This will meet the size, power use, and flexibility requirements for cochlear implants that will be inserted into the tiny mouse cochlea at the end of the project. CORTIORGAN has a strong team and is well organized.