Figure 1. Scanning electron microscope images of gold mushroom-shaped protrusions (gMμP) that were fabricated to examine the structural interface between cultured rat hippocampal neurons and the protruding microstructures.

(a) Small, (b) medium and (c) large gMμPs with 1.5–2, 3–3.5 and 4–5 μm cap diameters, respectively. Note the rough surface of the mushroom caps. Calibration −1 μm.