One aspect of the invention provides an optically powered, integrated wireless neural electrode-telemetry module comprising (a) porous silicon wafer (b) at least one neural electrode (c) a low noise pre-amplifier (d) an optical power converter (e) a signal processor and (f) a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter microchip. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of chronically recording electrical activity from a single neuron in vivo. The method comprises implanting an optically powered, integrated wireless neural electrode-telemetry module into the brain or spinal cord of a subject.
