META-BRAIN showcased at leading Magnetics conferences in New Orleans

META-BRAIN showcased at leading Magnetics conferences in New Orleans

Elric Zhang, representing project partner ETH Zurich, recently attended two major magnetics conferences in New Orleans, USA: the International Symposium on Integrated Magnetics 2025 (iSIM 2025) and the 16th Joint Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials and Intermag (MMM – Intermag). Zhang presented the META-BRAIN project at both events, showcasing its advancements in neural modulation through magnetoelectric nanoparticles. His presentations generated significant interest from leading experts in the field.

ISIM 2025 – International Symposium on Integrated Magnetics

iSIM 2025, held on January 12, 2025, was a satellite event to the joint MMM-Intermag 2025 event. An invited talk in the Interdisciplinary Applied Magnetics session featured the abstract titled MagnetoElectric NanoParticles for Precision Biomedical Applications. Zhang introduced META-BRAIN during a discussion on how magnetoelectrics, traditionally used in antenna design, are now being explored for biomedical applications. His talk provided an overview of the field’s evolution, beginning with early experiments in drug delivery, cell differentiation, and neuron stimulation, before discussing the current advancements leading to META-BRAIN’s sophisticated neural circuit control.

The session attracted approximately 50 attendees, primarily electrical and materials engineers. Distinguished figures such as the President of the American Magnetics Society and the Director of the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure were in attendance. Zhang’s talk was highly well received, sparking discussions on META-BRAIN’s advantages over transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and existing techniques. Attendees also inquired about the synthesis process of the magnetoelectric nanoparticles, highlighting the community’s keen interest in the project’s methodology and potential.

MMM – Intermag 2025

During the MMM – Intermag conference on January 16, 2025, which was sponsored by the IEEE Magnetics Society and AIP Publishing, the publishing branch of the American Institute of Physics (AIP), Zhang delivered a presentation in the Biomedical Therapies, Diagnosis, and Nanomedicine session featuring the abstract titled Advanced Magnetoelectric Neuromodulation: Remote Control Over Multiple Channels.

META-BRAIN was introduced in the context of how varying applied magnetic fields can give different responses from neural tissue. Zhang explained how the project aims to achieve precise neuromodulation by leveraging magnetoelectric nanoparticles to control neural circuits remotely. He emphasized the importance of optimizing field parameters to achieve selective and adjustable neural stimulation.

The session, part of a broader conference, drew an audience of approximately 50 specialists in electrical, materials, and biomedical engineering. Zhang’s presentation was well received, with multiple attendees engaging in discussions about signal differentiation and packaging techniques. The interest in META-BRAIN’s capabilities underscores the project’s potential to revolutionize neuromodulation through magnetoelectric control.


META-BRAIN’s presence at these conferences provided an opportunity to share its latest advancements with experts in the field. The discussions and feedback from attendees highlighted key areas of interest, including its potential applications in biomedical engineering and neuromodulation. As research progresses, further work will be required to refine the technology, address challenges related to implementation, and explore clinical applications. The engagement at these events reflects a broader interest in the future development of magnetoelectric neural interfaces.

Elric Zhang is a Postdoctoral Researcher working at ETH Zurich’s Multi-Scale Robotics Lab (MSRL) and is deeply involved in the META-BRAIN project. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Miami. The MSRL team participating in META-BRAIN, formed by its co-Director Professor Salvador Pané Vidal, Dr. Semih Sevim, and Elric Zhang, is focused on developing new materials for magnetoelectric nanoparticle-based neural interfaces. Their work aims to meet the biological and clinical requirements for implantation, ensuring that the nanoparticles are small enough to reach the brain while remaining sufficiently magnetic to interact with the coils and powerful enough to stimulate neurons.

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