# Soft Brain-Computer Interface Concepts Researchers at MIT and Harvard Develop a Hydrogel Scaffold By Kalin Ned | Published 2023-01-24 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/braincomputer-interface References: [fastcompany](https://www.fastcompany.com/90834228/innovative-hydrogel-scaffold-brain-computer-interface?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss)  The brain-computer interface has been a future-forward concept and some researchers have dedicated their time to exploring it. The brain-computer interface, referred to also as the brain-machine interface or the smartbrain, seeks to establish a functional direct communication pathway between the brain's electrical activity and an external device. While numerous companies have such technology in development, there was recently a potential breakthrough in the field thanks to researchers from the Wyss Institute at [Harvard University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-mri-machine), Harvard’s [John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wyss-institute), and [MIT](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cognito-therapeutics). The innovation is a hydrogel scaffold that is electrically conductive. The researchers believe that the soft material may enable a functional brain-computer interface but that it can also tell us more about how the brain works. Image Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 73% | Activity: 79% | Freshness: 14% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Soft Brain-computer Interface:** Developing hydrogel scaffolds as electrically conductive material for a potential breakthrough and better understanding of how the brain works - **Direct Communication Pathway:** Establishing a functional direct communication pathway between the brain's electrical activity and an external device through the brain-computer interface technology - **Brain-machine Interface Development:** Numerous companies are developing brain-computer interface technology in the bid to create innovative products that offer endless possibilities. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Biotechnology:** A hydrogel scaffold as a potential breakthrough for a soft brain-machine interface creates opportunities for the biotechnology industry to improve healthcare through this technology. - **Neuroscience:** The development and wider acceptance of brain-computer interface technology can revolutionize Neuroscience industry to better understand the brain functions. - **Consumer Electronics:** The development of a brain-computer interface holds great possibilities for the consumer electronics industry as it can enable devices to function based on what the user thinks and envisages. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Scalable Brain-Computer Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/braincomputer-interfaces.md) - [AI-Enabled Brain Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/northwell-health.md) - [Advanced Neurotechnology Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/broadmind.md) - [Electric Pulsed Brain Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inner-cosmos.md) - [In-Clinic Brain-Computer Interface Technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/braincomputer-interface-technology.md) - [Brain Activity-Focused Research Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neurable1.md) - [Surgically-Implanted Brain Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neuralinks.md) - [Neurotechnology Gaming Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neurable-x-hyperx.md) - [Brain-Interfacing Gaming Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hyperx-eeg-headset.md)