Robinson, Jacob T2024-01-242024-01-242023-122023-12-01December 2Tuppen, Anne. "Wireless, Battery-Free Bioelectronics in Freely Behaving Rodents for Next-Generation Therapeutics." (2023). Master's thesis, Rice University. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/115390https://hdl.handle.net/1911/115390EMBARGO NOTE: This item is embargoed until 2029-12-01Electrical stimulation therapies have been used to treat numerous disorders and ailments, including Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, and chronic wounds, but much remains unknown about the mechanisms of action and optimal electrical stimulation patterns for affecting positive clinical outcomes. Rodent models are critical for discovering the mechanisms of action of these therapies and developing new stimulation paradigms because they allow the study of animals with precise genetic manipulations used to model a myriad of diseases. Unfortunately, current electrical interfaces compatible with rodent models are typically limited by tethers or batteries for power and data transfer. These tethers and batteries can distract or stress the animal and interfere with locomotion and behavior, making it difficult to study changes in gait, which are critical biomarkers for many conditions. Furthermore, many electrical stimulation therapies require chronic stimulation applied regularly for several weeks, which is difficult to achieve in battery-powered systems that require interruption for charging or replacing batteries. Due to the limitations in scope and duration of experiments using these systems, a wireless battery-free solution is needed. Here, we introduce a platform using magnetoelectric (ME) materials to enable chronic freely behaving rodent experiments. Specifically, we have established robust power delivery using ME materials, developed a behavioral enclosure for chronic experiments, and engineered lightweight, battery-free stimulators for various applications. Our results lay the foundation for a platform enabling chronic freely behaving rodent experiments to facilitate the development of next-generation electrical stimulation therapeutics.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.WirelessBioelectronicsFreely Behaving Rodentselectrical stimulationThesis2024-01-24