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Updated: Feb 20, 2026

External Excitation of Neurons Using Electric and Magnetic Fields in One- and Two-dimensional Cultures
Published on: May 7, 2017
Self-Powered Nanocomposites under an External Rotating Magnetic Field for Noninvasive External Power Supply
Fengluan Wu1, Long Jin1, Xiaotong Zheng1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest Jiaotong University , Chengdu 610031, China.
Abstract:
Electrical stimulation in biology and gene expression has attracted considerable attention in recent years. However, it is inconvenient that the electric stimulation needs to be supplied an implanted power-transported wire connecting the external power supply. Here, we fabricated a self-powered composite nanofiber (CNF) and developed an electric generating system to realize electrical stimulation based on the electromagnetic induction effect under an external rotating magnetic field. The self-powered CNFs generating an electric signal consist of modified MWNTs (m-MWNTs) coated Fe3O4/PCL fibers. Moreover, the output current of the nanocomposites can be increased due to the presence of the magnetic nanoparticles during an external magnetic field is applied. In this paper, these CNFs were employed to replace a bullfrog's sciatic nerve and to realize the effective functional electrical stimulation. The cytotoxicity assays and animal tests of the nanocomposites were also used to evaluate the biocompatibility and tissue integration. These results demonstrated that this self-powered CNF not only plays a role as power source but also can act as an external power supply under an external rotating magnetic field for noninvasive the replacement of injured nerve.
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