Cell Rover—a miniaturized magnetostrictive antenna for wireless operation inside living cells

Abstract

An intracellular antenna can open up new horizons for fundamental and applied biology. Here, we introduce the Cell Rover, a magnetostrictive antenna which can operate wirelessly inside a living cell and is compatible with 3D biological systems. It is sub-mm in size, acoustically actuated by an AC magnetic field and resonantly operated at low MHz frequencies, which is ideal for living systems. We developed an injection scheme involving non-uniform magnetic fields for intracellular injection of the Cell Rovers and demonstrated their operation in fully opaque, stage VI Xenopus oocytes, for which real-time imaging with conventional technologies is challenging. We also show that they provide a pathway for multiplexing applications to individually address multiple cells or to tune to more than one antenna within the same cell for versatile functionalities. This technology forms the foundation stone that can enable the integration of future capabilities such as smart sensing, modulation as well as energy harvesting to power in-cell nanoelectronic computing and can potentially bring the prowess of information technology inside a living cell. This could lead to unprecedented opportunities for fundamental understanding of biology as well as diagnostics and therapeutics.

Biohybrid Microrobots for Enhancing Adoptive Cell Transfers

“…While this field is still in its early stages, the potential for using chemotactic cells to transport therapeutic nanoparticles is promising. Researchers have already started investigating the use of cells for carrying magnetostrictive antennas, enabling wireless operation in applications such as remote sensing, modulation, and power-harvesting . It is also worth noting that cells without inherent chemotactic abilities (e.g., red blood cells) can be used for delivering nanoparticles to areas such as lung metastases for systemic tumor suppression …”

Effect of High-Anisotropic Co2+ Substitution for Ni2+ on the Structural, Magnetic, and Magnetostrictive Properties of NiFe2O4: Implications for Sensor Applications

“…Magnetostriction, in which the physical dimensions of magnetic materials change when a magnetic field is applied, is of great relevance for the development of cutting-edge sensors for automotive and energy technology. − Magnetostriction often involves a reversible energy exchange between the mechanical form and the magnetic form. In reality, magnetostrictive materials can be used in numerous industrial applications, particularly in sensors and actuators, because of their capacity to convert a precise amount of energy from one form to another. − As a result, currently, there is an enormous interest in one particular group or family of functional materials that exhibit magnetostriction and are called magnetostrictive smart materials (MSMs). ,,,− Due to their magnetoelastic properties, these MSMs are also widely used in a variety of technological applications, such as stress sensors, actuators, magnetostrictive filters, controlled fuel injection systems, sensors, sonar transducer systems, etc. Alloy-based MSMs, such as Terfenol-D and Galfenol, exhibit exceptional magnetostriction strain (λ) but only in the single-crystal form.…”

Effect of Dy3+ and Tb3+ Rare-Earth Cation Co-Substitution on the Structure, Magnetic, and Magnetostrictive Properties of Ni-Co-Ferrites

“…The design and development of the state-of-the-art sensors for automotive and energy technologies are highly relevant to the phenomenon of magnetostriction, which occurs when a magnetic field is applied and causes changes in the physical dimensions of magnetic materials. − A reversible energy exchange between the mechanical form and the magnetic form frequently occurs during magnetostriction. , Due to its ability to precisely transform a certain quantity of energy from one form to other, the magnetostrictive materials can actually be employed in a wide range of industrial applications, particularly in sensors and actuators. , As a result, functional materials that exhibit magnetostriction are currently the subject of intense attention for research and development activities. From this viewpoint, and due to their low cost of synthesis and processing, chemical and mechanical stability, low eddy current, suitability for high-frequency devices, etc., ferrite-based materials are particularly appealing …”