Biocompatible PVDF nanofibers with embedded magnetite nanodiscs enable wireless magnetoelectric stimulation in premotor cortex (original) (raw)
Signorelli, L. et al. (2025) Biocompatible PVDF nanofibers with embedded magnetite nanodiscs enable wireless magnetoelectric stimulation in premotor cortex.Advanced Healthcare Materials, e03082. (doi: 10.1002/adhm.202503082) (Early Online Publication)
Abstract
Wireless neuromodulation technologies aim to eliminate the need for invasive hardware and enhance tissue compatibility. Magnetoelectric (ME) materials enable magnetic field-induced electrical stimulation, offering a minimally invasive neural activation. However, conventional ME systems use rigid ceramic components with limited biocompatibility. Here, a flexible, predominantly organic ME platform composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers embedded with anisotropic magnetite nanodiscs (MNDs) is reported. These MNDs are selected for their unique ability to exert magnetic torque due to vortex magnetization and their intrinsic magnetostrictive behaviour. The resulting ME fibers preserve the piezoelectric β-phase of PVDF and exhibit a magnetoelectric voltage coefficient of 1.26 Vcm Oe . Two magnetic activation strategies are compared, torque-based and high-frequency magnetostriction, finding that magnetostriction more effectively triggers neuronal responses. In vitro calcium imaging reveals robust activation in primary cortical neurons cultured on ME fibers. Biocompatibility post-stimulation is confirmed on ex vivo human brain tissue, with no increased cell death. Implanted into the premotor cortex of freely moving mice, the fibers enabled wireless modulation of motor behaviour under an alternating magnetic field. This work presents the first demonstration of wireless magnetoelectric neuromodulation using soft, biocompatible fiber composites, paving the way for future bioelectronic interfaces free from rigid components and tethered systems.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Wireless neuromodulation, PVDF nanofibers, magnetite nanodiscs, smart materials, magnetoelectric. |
| Status: | Early Online Publication |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Heidari, Professor Hadi and Shojaei Baghini, Dr Mahdieh |
| Authors: | Signorelli, L., Wolters, A., Durán Toro, V., Englhard, J., Shojaei Baghini, M., Koçar, E., Wasner, F., Goldenstein, N. I., Heidari, H., Bachmann, J., Hescham, S., and Gregurec, D. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering |
| Journal Name: | Advanced Healthcare Materials |
| Publisher: | Wiley |
| ISSN: | 2192-2640 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2192-2659 |
| Published Online: | 07 August 2025 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2025 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Advanced Healthcare Materials 2025 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons license |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Deposit and Record Details
| ID Code: | 363122 |
|---|---|
| Depositing User: | Publications Router |
| Datestamp: | 14 Oct 2025 11:06 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Oct 2025 01:32 |
| Date of first online publication: | 7 August 2025 |
| Date Deposited: | 14 October 2025 |
| Data Availability Statement: | Yes |