Abstract: An electrode array having a splayable bundle of fibers having heat-sharpened tips. A method of manufacturing an electrode array including heat-sharpening a tip of each of a plurality of fibers; and bundling the plurality of fibers. A method of implanting an electrode array into a subject, the electrode array having a bundle of fibers, the method including exposing a target in the subject for the electrode array; and inserting the bundle of fibers into the target, where forces holding the bundle of fibers together are released during the insertion thus resulting in splaying of the fibers. An electrical connection with the fibers can be formed by a conductive material, or in high-channel count designs formed by surface mounting two-dimensional amplifier arrays to a base of a fiber array.