Multielectrode arrays would benefit from intimate engagement with neural cells, but typical arrays do not present a physical environment that mimics that of neural tissues. It is hypothesized that a porous, conductive hydrogel scaffold with appropriate mechanical and conductive properties could support neural cells in 3D, while tunable electrical and mechanical properties could modulate the growth and differentiation of the cellular networks. By incorporating carbon nanomaterials into an alginate hydrogel matrix, and then freeze‐drying the formulations, scaffolds which mimic neural tissue properties are formed. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) incorporated in the scaffolds form neurite networks which span the material in 3D and differentiate into astrocytes and myelinating oligodendrocytes. Viscoelastic and more conductive scaffolds produce more dense neurite networks, with an increased percentage of astrocytes and higher myelination. Application of exogenous electrical stimulation to the scaffolds increases the percentage of astrocytes and the supporting cells localize differently with the surrounding neurons. The tunable biomaterial scaffolds can support neural cocultures for over 12 weeks, and enable a physiologically mimicking in vitro platform to study the formation of neuronal networks. As these materials have sufficient electrical properties to be used as electrodes in implantable arrays, they may allow for the creation of biohybrid neural interfaces and living electrodes.

Multielectrode arrays are fabricated from thin films of highly conductive and ductile metals which cannot mimic the natural environment of biological tissues. These properties limit the conformability of the electrode to the underlying target tissue, and present challenges in developing seamless interfaces. By introducing porous, hydrogel materials that are embedded with metal additives, highly conductive hydrogels can be formed. Tuning the hydrogel composition, % volume and aspect ratio of different additive(s), and the processing conditions of these composite materials can alter the mechanical and electrical properties. The resulting materials have a high surface area, and can be used as biomaterial scaffolds to support the growth of macrophages for 5 days. Further optimization can enable the use of the materials for the electrodes in implantable arrays, or as living electrode platforms to study and modulate various cellular cultures. These advancements would benefit both in vivo and in vitro applications of tissue engineering.