Magnetoelectric Nanomaterials for Wireless Neuronal Modulation

Electrical communication with the brain and spinal cord are critical to our understanding of the nervous system, and in the treatment of neurological disorders. Devices that electrically sense or stimulate the nervous system have enabled remarkable medical breakthroughs, but neural device technology is currently only in use with a limited patient population, in part due to the risk of surgical implantation. A nanoscale neural device that operates wirelessly could be implanted less invasively than a larger prosthetic, potentially lowering risk. Nanoscale magnetoelectric (ME) materials, those that couple magnetic fields to electric fields, can allow us to wirelessly generate electric signals using input magnetic signals, and without requiring biochemical or genetic cell manipulation. In this talk, I will introduce ME nanoelectrodes as a versatile platform technology for wireless brain interfacing, and discuss potential future applications of these materials for wireless medical intervention.