BrainLinks-BrainTools aims to develop medical technology that directly interacts with the nervous system. In view of this aim, BrainLinks-BrainTools combines life-sciences and engineering sciences as well as their clinical applications. BrainLinks-BrainTools is a cluster of excellence funded by the DFG (German Research Foundation), grant number EXC 1086, and established in 2012 within the framework of the German Excellence Initiative.