Student project: A compact neural interface stimulation circuit with extremely low standby power

This project focuses on developing an innovative HV neural stimulator circuit that minimizes the chip area and stand-by power consumption while ensuring reliable and safe stimulation performance.

What you will do

Neural interface circuits play a crucial role in bridging the gap between biological systems and electronic devices, enabling advancements in neuro-prosthetics, brain-machine interfaces, and medical treatments. Among these, stimulation circuits are essential for delivering controlled electrical signals to neural tissues, facilitating therapeutic applications such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), spinal cord stimulation, and peripheral nerve stimulation.

To accommodate a wide range of applications, the stimulator circuit must deliver a high stimulation current while maintaining a high-voltage (HV) compliance. A key challenge in HV neural stimulation circuit design is achieving a compact chip size and ultra-low standby power consumption (for heavily duty-cycled therapeutics) without compromising safety during operation. This project focuses on developing an innovative HV neural stimulator circuit that minimizes the chip area and stand-by power consumption while ensuring reliable and safe stimulation performance.

• Literature survey of the state-of-the-art HV stimulation circuits.
• Simulation and analysis of imec’s existing stimulator IP.
• Propose your own low-power and miniaturized stimulator architecture.
• Modelling of the system in Cadence with ideal components.
• Design and simulation of the required circuits, including schematic and layout using Cadence EDA tools. 
• Tape-out and measurement of the chip, if time permits.
• Depending on the results write a paper.
  
  

What we do for you

You will be working on cutting-edge research on a topic that is relevant to both academic and industrial research groups. To help you in this journey, we offer a flexible environment where you can be the leader of your own research while at the same time have support of experts to complete your tasks. As part of the team in IMEC-Netherlands you will have opportunities to learn from the some of the best minds.

Who you are

• You are a Msc student in Electronics Engineering.
• You are available for a period of preferably 12 months.
• You have knowledge of analog/mixed-signal circuits.
• You are familiar with Cadence design environment.
• You are self-starter and able to work independently.
• Good written and verbal English skills.

Interested

Does this position sound like an interesting next step in your career at imec? Don’t hesitate to submit your application by clicking on ‘APPLY NOW’.
Should you have more questions about the job, you can contact jobs@imec.nl.