# A Novel Wireless and Subcellular Device for Neuromodulation

> **NIH NIH R21** · MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2022 · $155,100

## Abstract

Implantable interfaces for neuromodulation is necessary to advance fundamental neuroscience research,
develop new treatments for neurological disorders, and create efficient breakthrough neuroprosthetics.
However, modern implants based on multi-electrode arrays suffer from low spatial resolution, high
invasiveness with complicated implantable procedures, the need for a chronic opening for connecting wires,
and substantial foreign body reaction, eventually leading to device failure. On the other hand, various groups
have developed nanoparticles-based transducers that can wirelessly modulate neurons with high precision
when actuated with external stimuli. Nevertheless, nanoparticles hold several disadvantages due to their small
size (resulting in neurotoxicity, migration, aggregation, etc.), restricted fabrication procedures, and limited
design or integration opportunities. Hence, minimally invasive and non-genetic technology that can enable
wireless neuromodulation with high spatio-temporal resolution and stable interface remains an unmet goal
till date.
Therefore, we propose to develop an innovative thin-film-based structure able to wirelessly influence the
neuronal membrane to induce or inhibit action potential propagation along a specific path of connected
neurons. These devices will be designed and produced with subcellular dimensions to be injected into the
neural tissue, diffuse, and wrap around axons and dendrites (creating conformable and stable neural
interface); hence, they are named nanoCUFFs. The nanoCUFFs will be composed of two types of polymers:
i) an azobenzene polymer for photo-induced reconfiguration of thin films rolled into microtubes,
accommodating single axons; and ii) a semiconducting polymer for transduction of light pulses into stimuli
for neuronal opto-modulation. Polymers allow creating soft, biocompatible, and conformable structures for
a minimal mismatch and maximal coupling with the biological tissue. Once the nanoCUFFs are produced
and characterized, we will verify their wrapping capabilities around axons and dendrites, neuromodulation
efficiencies as well as ability to influence distinct selected subpopulations of neurons (using micro-patterned
light) in neural cultures.
The ability to engineer the nanoCUFFs’ material composition and photo-induced effects on a thin-film
platform favors the future integration of nanoelectronics components for additional functionalities. For
instance, multiplexing and sensing devices could be developed for smart closed-loop neuromodulation. This
technology can simultaneously achieve ultra-low invasiveness, high-spatio-temporal precision, selectivity
and stable junction with cells and thus, is highly promising for not only fundamental neuroscience but also
novel therapeutics.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10516902
- **Project number:** 1R21EY034283-01
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Deblina Sarkar
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $155,100
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10516902

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10516902, A Novel Wireless and Subcellular Device for Neuromodulation (1R21EY034283-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10516902. Licensed CC0.

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