An interface for selective excitation or sensing of neural cells in a
biological neural network is provided. The interface includes a membrane
with a number of channels passing through the membrane. Each channel has
at least one electrode within it. Neural cells in the biological neural
network grow or migrate into the channels, thereby coming into close
proximity to the electrodes.Once one or more neural cells have grown or
migrated into a channel, a voltage applied to the electrode within the
channel selectively excites the neural cell (or cells) in that channel.
The excitation of these neural cell(s) will then transmit throughout the
neural network (i.e. cells and axons) that is associated with the neural
cell(s) stimulated in the channel.