Nanostructured electroactive materials with large charge capacity: Direct field electrostimulation through connected and non-connected electrodes

Electric field stimulation protocols depend on the electrode material used, but the material characteristics are often not considered or sufficiently described for optimization. Furthermore, charge capacity is considered only in capacitor-like systems, without taking into account that intercalation materials offer an internal faradaic charge delivery advantage, with substantially less risk for biological systems. This chapter describes new materials with high charge capacities, appropriate electric field protocols for using them, and examples of neural cultures that can be used to elucidate the biological effects of fields. Mammalian neurons, neuron–astrocyte co-cultures, and amphibian spinal neurons are used in vitro, often as scratch wound models, to assess their potential for stimulating tissue repair. Importantly, remote control of dipoles induced in conducting implanted materials is shown to be a new promising approach and a breakthrough.