Using special materials to control brain activity with sound
Official title: Mechanoluminescent nanomaterials for optogenetic neuromodulation
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11099137 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new materials that use sound waves to help control brain activity without needing to put lights inside the brain, which could improve how we understand and treat neurological disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $70,000 |
| NIH project number | 3R21EY034806-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11099137 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from neurological disorders who may benefit from advanced neuromodulation therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-neurological conditions or those who do not respond to optogenetic therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative materials that can activate optogenetic tools non-invasively using sound waves. By creating a new type of mechanoluminescent material, the researchers aim to enhance the ability to modulate neural circuits without needing to insert light sources directly into the brain. This approach could lead to better understanding and treatment of neurological disorders by allowing precise control over brain functions. The project combines advanced material science with computational modeling to optimize the effectiveness of these new materials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in treating neurological diseases by enabling non-invasive brain modulation techniques.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of optogenetics has shown promise in other studies, the specific approach of using mechanoluminescent materials for non-invasive activation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nam, Jin — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Nam, Jin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.