Biocompatible PVDF Nanofibers with Embedded Magnetite Nanodiscs Enable Wireless Magnetoelectric Neuromodulation

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, we report a flexible, predominantly organic ME platform composed of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers embedded with anisotropic magnetite nanodiscs (MNDs). These MNDs were 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 {beta}-phase of PVDF and exhibit magnetoelectric voltage coefficient of 1.26 Vcm-{superscript 1}Oe-{superscript 1}. We compare two magnetic activation strategies; 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 was 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. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=182 SRC="FIGDIR/small/660052v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (41K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7868e7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@12f32a7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a6a7e4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@5876e4_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG