Frequency demodulation with magnetoelectric coreshells: A novel approach to enhanced bio-stimulation

Magnetoelectric (ME) coreshell devices have interesting applications in biomedical technologies including biosensing and communication, due to their strong inter-coupling between the magnetostrictive core and the piezoelectric shell. This property could be utilized for specific applications in localized bio-stimulation of cells. This paper provides a conceptual proof of using the non-linear property of ME coreshell devices for frequency demodulation and stimulation. We use the Multiphysics simulation approach, wherein the ME coreshell was biased with a DC magnetic field and perturbed through dual coil alternating magnetic fields. The combined effect of the ME non-linear magnetostriction and the dual coil perturbation resulted in the demodulation of the interference frequency component, that induced equivalent electrical hotspots on the piezoelectric shell. We provide a cross model verification, where the generated electrical current density on the piezo shell was provided as an input to a Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) neural cell model to actively induce membrane potentials on the cell. Future applications as a standalone, battery- and electronics-free, controllable, multi-functional and localized coreshells for targeted drug delivery, backscatter communication and bio-stimulation, is envisioned.