High-order synchronization of hair cell bundles

Abstract

Auditory and vestibular hair cell bundles exhibit active mechanical oscillations at natural frequencies that are typically lower than the detection range of the corresponding end organs. We explore how these noisy nonlinear oscillators mode-lock to frequencies higher than their internal clocks. A nanomagnetic technique is used to stimulate the bundles without an imposed mechanical load. The evoked response shows regimes of high-order mode-locking. Exploring a broad range of stimulus frequencies and intensities, we observe regions of high-order synchronization, analogous to Arnold Tongues in dynamical systems literature. Significant areas of overlap occur between synchronization regimes, with the bundle intermittently flickering between different winding numbers. We demonstrate how an ensemble of these noisy spontaneous oscillators could be entrained to efficiently detect signals significantly above the characteristic frequencies of the individual cells.

Volumetric measurement of synchronization of the dust acoustic wave with an external modulation

“…[7] The adjustment of the selfexcited dust acoustic wave mode to match the externally applied modulation is a nonlinear process known as (phase) synchronization; a process that is ubiquitous in a variety of physical systems and is believed to play an important role in many self-organized phenomena. [8][9][10][11][12][13] In this paper, we present a measurement showing the volumetric nature of this synchronization process by applying a time-resolved Hilbert Transform [14,15] to high-speed imaging of the dust acoustic wave in an rf glow discharge plasma.…”

Bioinspired Electronics for Artificial Sensory Systems

“…When the electromagnetic probe generated pulsed vibration within 10 kHz, the hairy ear cells with magnetic nanoparticles oscillated correspondingly with 50 nm amplitude (Figure l), the average natural deflection amplitude at which hair bundles oscillate freely. Such innovative demonstrations of hair cells based on magnetic nanoparticles show promising potential for magnetogenetics with applications in hearing systems …”

Artificial Perception Built on Memristive System: Visual, Auditory, and Tactile Sensations

“…Since the magnetic nanoparticle responds to electromagnetic stimuli ranging from 100 to 10 000 Hz, it meets the frequency detection range requirement for an auditory mechanotransduction system (Figure c). This method could also be useful toward the study of complex nonlinear dynamics of the auditory system . By implanting a Ag‐nanoparticle‐infused silicone coil antenna into 3D printed bionic ears, sound signals were successfully captured (Figure d) .…”