Research statement

My name is Nikolaos Maniotis and I am a Doctor of the Department of Physics

with a postgraduate degree in Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies. My doctoral
dissertation at the Department of Physics of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is
entitled “Numerical simulation and characterization of systems for Magneto-thermal
and Magneto-mechanical interaction with the living matter”. In my thesis I examined
the numerical simulation and characterization of the interactions between magnetic
fields and magnetic nanoparticles when they are both applied to living matter,
focusing on the physics of Magnetic Particle Hyperthermia (MPH) and the Magneto-
mechanical effects of magnetic nanoparticles. In this context, magnetic energy is
converted to mechanical stress by forces (magneto-mechanical effect) in the
frequency range below 100 Hz and to heat by magnetic particle hyperthermia at
frequencies of 100-1000 kHz.
During my involvement as a postgraduate fellow in the program
"Nanocomposite vectors of dual imaging capacity with simultaneous therapeutic
action for neoplastic cells" (implemented in the project "Support for young scientists
in research") I worked on the following case studies. In the first case, the effect of the
field gradient on the movement of the nanoparticles and how it affects, through the
generated mechanical forces, the activation of cellular mechanisms (in vitro) was
investigated. In MPH (second case study), the thermal performance of magnetic
nanoparticles was evaluated (i) in a non-living environment, i.e. in materials that
simulate the properties of living biological tissue (ex vivo), (ii) in a liquid solution
(ferrofluid, in-vitro) and (iii) in a living biological tissue (in-vivo). In each case, both the
magnetic response of the nanoparticles and the energy transfer (mechanical or
thermal) to the biological material were simulated, and the factors that influence the
whole process such as the characteristic properties of the nanoparticles (size, shape,
magnetic anisotropy), the magnetic field (frequency, amplitude, gradient), the
protocol (dosage, duration of application, magnetic nanoparticles concentration, type
of magnetic field) were investigated for all three cases. The quantification of
mechanical “stress” (magneto-mechanical force) was made computationally by
solving mathematical models that link the mechanical oscillation (motion) of magnetic
nanoparticles with their magnetic properties. In addition, the modeling of the
magneto-thermal interaction was made possible by the numerical solution of the
differential equations describing the above phenomenon, such as the Pennes bioheat
equation (in-vivo) and the Fourier heat transfer equation (ex-vivo, in-vitro). The
solution of these equations provides the temporal and spatial distribution of
temperature in different types of biological tissues due to the heat dissipation caused
by the energy loss of magnetic nanoparticles in the tissue as well as by the induced
eddy currents. In the case of eddy currents, the undesired heating caused by their
generation from the time-varying magnetic field was minimized by simultaneously
maintaining a sufficient heat release from the magnetic nanoparticles that could
increase the efficiency of magnetic particle hyperthermia. To achieve this goal, an
intermittently applied (pulsed) alternating magnetic field was used instead of a
continuously applied one. All magneto-mechanical and magneto-thermal stress
simulations were performed using the COMSOL Multiphysics computational platform
which employs the Finite Element Method (FEM) numerical technique.
My current research focuses on the following areas:
1. Computational simulation of electromagnetic fields of varying amplitude
and frequency produced by high (RF, Microwave) and low (LF) frequency
devices. Evaluation and validation of emitted field through simulation
software for studying energy transfer processes (COMSOL Multiphysics,
ANSYS) with analysis of finite elements and differences.
2. Experimental measurements and recording of electromagnetic radiation
from magnetic materials with special technological and environmental
interest.
3. Computational Bio-electromagnetism: Study the effects of field exposure
on biological materials due to absorption of electromagnetic radiation
(thermal and/or mechanical effects on tissues and cells).
4. Micro-magnetic simulations with Object Oriented Micro-Magnetic
Framework package, OOMMF. Investigation of magnetic nanostructures
dynamics, physical properties and interactions.
5. Computational condensed matter physics & biophysics: Computational
study of the interactions between synthetic materials and the biological
environment. Implementation of Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo
 techniques at the atomistic and coarse-grained resolution to investigate
the molecular and physical mechanisms that drive the interaction between
nanoparticles, lipid membranes, and proteins.

Future plans
I believe that my knowledge on suitable software for simulating phenomena
and devices (COMSOL Multiphysics, ANSYS, Schrödinger Suites) can be used at the
application level as an evolution of my research skills through my participation in
the scientific / technological projects of both academia and industry. My familiarity
in solving problems of heat transfer processes, electromagnetism, fluid mechanics
and stress-strain analysis with computational methods is fully in line with the
needs of modern research and I certainly have a lot to learn and develop as a
scientist through my involvement with different subjects.
Since my research deals with a novel scheme for the MPH treatment, a
prevalent and challenging problem for scientists and engineers, I intend to expand
my knowledge in the field and contribute in the fabrication of specialized MPH
apparatus and treatment plans based on my experience in numerical simulations.
However, independently to the fulfilment of the scientific objectives, the long-
term goal of my work will be the establishment of a highly experienced working
group able to develop and handle research projects with an improved level of
scientific impact but also a high degree of novelty for commercial exploitation. The
major goal for me includes the leadership of a group of experienced and young
scientists, the organization of an elite team studying micro-magnetic simulations
and novel nanomaterials for diverse technological applications and the
development of a network of collaborators originating from different fields. In this
way, I will have the opportunity to combine my background from theoretical
modelling and simulation of physical phenomena with my knowledge in the
development of novel materials and methods for the improvement of MPH
technique and the beneficial contribution in modern biomedical engineering.