Multi-scale computational modeling of magnetoelectric nanoparticle-dispersed conductive nanofibers for peripheral nerve modulation.
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- 2Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering (IEIIT), National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy.
- 3The BioRobotics institute, Health Science Interdisciplinary Research Center, and Department of Excellence Robotics and AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'anna, Pisa, Italy.
- 4Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (CNR NANOTEC), Lecce, Italy.
- 5Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, Arnesano (LE), Italy.
- 6Tecnomed Puglia - Technopole for Precision Medicine (Biotech Lecce Hub), Lecce, Italy.
- 7Modular Implantable Neurotechnologies (MINE) Laboratory, Università Vita Salute San Raffaele and Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
Introduction
The electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves has shown the potential to restore impaired functions across a wide range of clinical scenarios. In most cases, though, the lack of selectivity of existing stimulation interfaces limits their applicability and can in some cases produce severe adverse effects. In addition, traditional stimulation requires physical connectors to a pulse generator that can add further biological and mechanical stress already linked to interfacing with physiological structures. This study focuses on the use of magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs) embedded within conductive polymeric nanofibers as new wireless, highly selective, and minimally invasive interfaces for modulating peripheral nerves activity.Methods
A step-by-step detailed characterization of the physical variables involved in this interaction, spanning from the nanometric single MENPs to micrometric multi-nanofibers structure with dispersed MENPs (poly-ME devices) and ending with the millimetric peripheral nerve, was proposed. MENPs concentration and distribution, device geometry, orientation, and size were systematically varied, and their effects on nerve fiber recruitment were quantified across myelinated and unmyelinated fiber types at different distances from the stimulating source.Results and discussion
Our results evidenced how higher MENPs concentrations, higher stimulating source size and lower distance enhance the modulation capability of the poly-ME devices, with differences in stimulation capability between myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. The solution of embedding MENPs in conductive polymer nanofibers enables higher MENPs loading than direct tissue injection, improves positional stability, and preserves biocompatibility, thereby offering a potential alternative for the engineering of MENPs as neuromodulation interfaces.
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BibTeX
@article{galletta2026multiscale,
title = {{Multi-scale computational modeling of magnetoelectric nanoparticle-dispersed conductive nanofibers for peripheral nerve modulation.}},
author = {Valentina Galletta and Serena Fiocchi and Claudio Verardo and Luigi Carbone and Loretta Laureana Del Mercato and Simone Romeni and Emma Chiaramello},
journal = {Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fbioe.2026.1951247},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42947980},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Multi-scale computational modeling of magnetoelectric nanoparticle-dispersed conductive nanofibers for peripheral nerve modulation.
AU - Valentina Galletta
AU - Serena Fiocchi
AU - Claudio Verardo
AU - Luigi Carbone
AU - Loretta Laureana Del Mercato
AU - Simone Romeni
AU - Emma Chiaramello
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology
DO - 10.3389/fbioe.2026.1951247
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42947980
AB - Introduction The electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves has shown the potential to restore impaired functions across a wide range of clinical scenarios. In most cases, though, the lack of selectivity of existing stimulation interfaces limits their applicability and can in some cases produce severe adverse effects. In addition, traditional stimulation requires physical connectors to a pulse generator that can add further biological and mechanical stress already linked to interfacing with physiological structures. This study focuses on the use of magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs) embedded within conductive polymeric nanofibers as new wireless, highly selective, and minimally invasive interfaces for modulating peripheral nerves activity.Methods A step-by-step detailed characterization of the physical variables involved in this interaction, spanning from the nanometric single MENPs to micrometric multi-nanofibers structure with dispersed MENPs (poly-ME devices) and ending with the millimetric peripheral nerve, was proposed. MENPs concentration and distribution, device geometry, orientation, and size were systematically varied, and their effects on nerve fiber recruitment were quantified across myelinated and unmyelinated fiber types at different distances from the stimulating source.Results and discussion Our results evidenced how higher MENPs concentrations, higher stimulating source size and lower distance enhance the modulation capability of the poly-ME devices, with differences in stimulation capability between myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. The solution of embedding MENPs in conductive polymer nanofibers enables higher MENPs loading than direct tissue injection, improves positional stability, and preserves biocompatibility, thereby offering a potential alternative for the engineering of MENPs as neuromodulation interfaces.
SN - 2296-4185
ER -