A silicon-based microelectrode array with a bed-of-nails design that is implanted into the brain cortex to record signals from individual neurons, long used as the standard in invasive BCI research.

Which deep tech sector does Utah Array belong to?

Utah Array is a key concept in the Brain-Computer Interfaces sector.

Utah Array — Deep Tech Glossary

The Utah Array, developed at the University of Utah and commercialized by Blackrock Neurotech, is the most widely used intracortical electrode array in human BCI research. Its distinctive design features a small square grid (typically 10x10) of silicon needle electrodes, each about 1.5 millimeters long, that penetrate into the cortex to record electrical activity from nearby individual neurons. The array has enabled many of the field's landmark achievements.

For over two decades, the Utah Array has been the workhorse of the BrainGate clinical trial consortium. Implanted in the motor cortex of people with paralysis, these arrays have allowed participants to control computer cursors, robotic arms, and even their own paralyzed limbs through decoded neural signals. The array's track record of human safety data and published research makes it an invaluable reference point for the entire BCI field.

However, the Utah Array has well-known limitations. Its rigid silicon construction can cause tissue damage and inflammation over time, leading to signal degradation months to years after implantation. Its 96 electrodes, while groundbreaking when introduced, are far fewer than newer designs from companies like Neuralink (1,024+ electrodes) and Paradromics (thousands of microwires). The BCI field is actively developing next-generation arrays that address these durability and density constraints, though the Utah Array remains in clinical use and continues to generate critical scientific data. For deeper coverage, see BCIIntel.