‘Neural dust’ can listen to body’s electrical signals

Tiny ultrasonic devices show ability to detect nerve activity in rats

tiny crystal on a fingertip

SPECK WORK  A crystal that vibrates in response to ultrasound allowed this tiny sensor (shown on a fingertip) to pick up signals from rat nerves and muscles.  

Ryan Neely/UC Berkeley 

A small device with a heart of crystal can eavesdrop on muscles and nerves, scientists report August 3 in Neuron.