Realistic Finite Element Model Research Articles

In-situ measurement of anisotropic Young’s modulus in fused deposition modeling printed cantilevers

In this study, we investigate the effect of fused deposition modeling printing direction on the effective Young’s modulus value of cantilevers. Through finite-element simulations and experiments with seven different dimensions and totaling over 100 cantilevers, we have observed the impact of printing direction on cantilever resonance. Unlike the conventional compressive and tensile stress—strain characterization, observation of the resonance allows for in-situ testing on the final device under test during operation. Initially, we observed the bulk filament modulus to be 4.5 GPa based on the optimal match between experiments and realistic finite element models expressing the internal structures of the longitudinal and transverse printed cantilevers. Then, the effective Young’s modulus of the cantilevers is inferred through sweeping the Young’s modulus that provides the best fit between the experiments, conventional cantilever formulations and finite-element simulations with solid, homogeneous, and isotropic cantilever model. Overall, we observed an average effective Young’s modulus of 3.35 GPa for the cantilevers with longitudinal (along the cantilever axis) deposited filaments and an average effective Young’s Modulus of 2.50 GPa for the transverse (perpendicular to the cantilever axis, along the width dimension) deposited Polylactic acid cantilevers. Eventually, simplified shape outline and effective Young’s modulus for the corresponding printing direction eases the subsequent theoretical and simulation analyses. The presented methodology is also applicable to micrometric and sub-micrometric scale serial manufacturing techniques (i.e. two-photon polymerization) where the laser beams steering direction causes anisotropy in the mechanical properties of the device under test.

The mechanical behavior of bovine spinal cord white matter under various strain rate conditions: tensile testing and visco-hyperelastic constitutive modeling.

The mechanical behavior of the white matter is important for estimating the damage of the spinal cord during accidents. In this study, we conducted uniaxial tension testing in vitro of bovine spinal cord white matter under extremely high strain rate conditions (up to 100s-1). A visco-hyperelastic constitutive law for modeling the strain rate-dependent behavior of the bovine spinal cord white matter was developed. A set of material constants was obtained using a Levenberg-Marquardt fitting algorithm to match the uniaxial tension experimental data with various strain rates. Our experimental data confirmed that the modulus and tensile strength increased when the strain rate is higher. For the extremely high strain rate condition (100s-1), we found that both the modulus and failure stress significantly increased compared with the low strain rate case. These new data in terms of mechanical response at high strain rate provide insight into the spine injury mechanism caused by high-speed impact. Moreover, the developed constitutive model will allow researchers to perform more realistic finite element modeling and simulation of spinal cord injury damage under various complicated conditions.

Development and validation of finite element models for buckling of open-hole fiber-reinforced composites at ambient and cryogenic temperatures

Understanding the buckling behavior of fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) is critical for the design of composite structures. In this study, finite element (FE) models of FRC buckling behaviors were developed and validated. The validated FE models could accurately predict the numerical and experimental observations in the literature. The effect of the specimen geometric imperfections was included in the model to secure a realistic FE model; to this end, linear buckling analyses were employed before beginning the nonlinear buckling analyses. The FRCs’ mechanical properties and buckling behavior of FRCs can be temperature-dependent. Because the presence of a hole in the design of composite structures may be inevitable in a few applications, the temperature-dependent buckling responses of open-hole glass/epoxy, glass/polyester, carbon/epoxy, and carbon/polyester composites were compared with those of the plain specimens. The effects of the fiber and resin types, temperature, and the presence of holes on buckling behavior were investigated and discussed in detail. Five different temperatures, 25, 0, −50, −100, and −180 °C were considered. The cryogenic temperatures raised Young’s moduli and consequently raised the critical buckling loads. The validated models and results on the open-hole composites can be used as benchmarks in composite structure designs involving buckling behavior.

A receptance based method for the calculation of nonlinear normal modes of large ordered structures with distributed localized nonlinearities

In recent years, the concept of nonlinear normal modes (NNMs) has gained interest for interpreting a broad range of nonlinear dynamic phenomena. Present study introduces a simple and efficient computational framework to compute NNMs of large order nonlinear structures overcoming difficulties associated with commonly used time-integration and discretization methods. In this paper, a Receptance Based Nonlinear Normal Mode Calculation Method (RBNM) is developed to determine the NNMs of large ordered realistic finite element models in frequency domain. Describing Function Method (DFM), which makes it possible to write the nonlinear internal forcing vector as a nonlinear displacement dependent stiffness matrix multiplied by displacement vector, is used to model the internal nonlinear forcing vector in frequency domain. A unique matrix manipulation based on dynamic stiffness and receptance concepts is used, as a result of which the number of governing nonlinear equations becomes independent from the total number of degrees of freedom of the model and it only depends on the number of degrees of freedom associated with the nonlinear elements. This brings a significant computational advantage over the classical reduced order modeling techniques. A simple 2-degree of freedom (DOF) system, the results of which are available in the literature, is used to verify the proposed method in determining NNMs. A 20-DOF lumped parameter system model and later a complex finite element model of a large structure are used to demonstrate the applicability of RBNM in determining NNMs of larger systems with several different types of nonlinear elements distributed among the degrees of freedom.

Differences in prophylactic performance across wound dressing types used to protect from device-related pressure ulcers caused by a continuous positive airway pressure mask.

Prolonged use of continuous positive airway pressure masks, as often required for non-invasive ventilation, involves a risk for facial tissue breakdown due to the sustained deformations caused by tightening of the stiff mask surfaces to the head and the moist environment. The risk of developing mask-related facial injuries can be reduced through suitable cushioning materials placed at the skin-mask interfaces to spread the localised contact forces and disperse the surface and internal tissue stresses. Using an integrated experimental-computational approach, we compared the biomechanical protective performance of three popular foam-based wound dressings to that of a market-lead hydrocolloid dressing when applied to protect the facial skin under a mask. We measured the compressive stiffness properties of the four commercial dressing types in dry and moist conditions, and then fed those to an anatomically realistic finite element model of an adult male head, with an applied simulated mask. Through this process, we calculated the protective efficacy index of each dressing type, indicating the relative contribution of the specified dressing to alleviating facial soft tissue loads with respect to the no-dressing case. The foam-based dressings generally performed substantially better than the hydrocolloid, but foam dressings were also demonstrated to vary by their protective performance.

Novel Electrode Placement in Electrical Bioimpedance-Based Stroke Detection: Effects on Current Penetration and Injury Characterization in a Finite Element Model.

Reducing time-to-treatment and providing acute management in stroke are essential for patient recovery. Electrical bioimpedance (EBI) is an inexpensive and non-invasive tissue measurement approach that has the potential to provide novel continuous intracranial monitoring-something not possible in current standard-of-care. While extensive previous work has evaluated the feasibility of EBI in diagnosing stroke, high-impedance anatomical features in the head have limited clinical translation. The present study introduces novel electrode placements near highly-conductive cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) pathways to enhance electrical current penetration through the skull and increase detection accuracy of neurologic damage. Simulations were conducted on a realistic finite element model (FEM). Novel electrode placements at the tear ducts, soft palate and base of neck were evaluated. Classification accuracy was assessed in the presence of signal noise, patient variability, and electrode positioning. Algorithms were developed to successfully determine stroke etiology, location, and size relative to impedance measurements from a baseline scan. Novel electrode placements significantly increased stroke classification accuracy at various levels of signal noise (e.g., p < 0.001 at 40 dB). Novel electrodes also amplified current penetration, with up to 30% increase in current density and 57% increased sensitivity in central intracranial regions (p < 0.001). These findings support the use of novel electrode placements in EBI to overcome prior limitations, indicating a potential approach to increasing the technology's clinical utility in stroke identification. A non-invasive EBI monitor for stroke could provide essential timely intervention and care of stroke patients.

A Potential Mitigation Measure for the Seismic Distress of the Circuit Wall at the Acropolis of Athens

The seismic design of new retaining structures is usually performed following modern seismic norms. Nonetheless, there are various monumental retaining structures (e.g., fortifications) with high seismic vulnerability, which must be protected against earthquakes, while there exist several limitations on the type of mitigation measures that can be applied to such cultural heritage structures. The present study investigates numerically the seismic response and distress of the Circuit Wall of the Athenian Acropolis. The Wall is a monumental masonry retaining structure surrounding the world-class archeological monuments of the hill of the Acropolis. Given the fact that the wider region of Athens is characterized by moderate seismicity, it is necessary to protect the Wall from strong ground motions. For this purpose, the geological, seismological, and topographic conditions of the Acropolis hill, as well as the geometry and the mechanical properties of the Wall, are realistically taken into account. A realistic finite-element model has been developed for a critical section of the Wall, which has been validated with available records from accelerometers being installed on the Wall. Subsequently, an efficient and suitable—according to international monument restoration guidelines—seismic mitigation measure is proposed. The results of dynamic earth-pressure distribution on the Wall are presented before and after the application of expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks behind the Wall. Α detailed parametric study illustrates a substantial reduction of dynamic pressures on the Wall when the EPS blocks are applied, either along the entire height or only at the lower part of the Wall.

Multipair transcranial temporal interference stimulation for improved focalized stimulation of deep brain regions: A simulation study

Temporal interference stimulation (TIS) has been proved to be effective in stimulating deep brain regions while avoiding the stimulation of neocortical regions in animal experiments. In the traditional TIS, two alternating currents are injected with different frequencies via two electrode pairs attached to the scalp. In the human brain, however, it is difficult to achieve a focal stimulation of deep brain structures due to the high complexity of human brain structures. In this study, we hypothesized that the use of multiple electrode pairs may contribute to the more focalized delivery of temporal interference (TI) currents to the target site in the deep area of the brain. Based on this hypothesis, we proposed a novel multipair TIS method that employs more than two electrode pairs for improved focalized stimulation of the deep brain region (in this study, the head of the right hippocampus). Three realistic finite element models were used to validate the feasibility of the proposed multipair TIS. Additional electrode pairs were sequentially added to the conventional two-electrode pairs with the aim of maximizing the delivery of TI currents to the target while minimizing TI currents in the neocortical regions. The results confirmed that the multipair TIS provides better focalized stimulation than the conventional two-pair TIS for all three head models. It is expected that the proposed multipair TIS can be used to enhance the effectiveness of noninvasive deep brain stimulation.

Abstract 13429: Intercalated Disk Nanoscale Structure and Ion Channel Distribution Regulate Cardiac Conduction

The intercalated disk (ID) is a specialized subcellular region that provides electrical and mechanical connections between myocytes in the heart. The ID has a clearly defined passive role in cardiac tissue, transmitting mechanical forces and electrical currents between cells. Recent studies have shown that Na+ channels, the primary current responsible for cardiac excitation, are preferentially localized at the ID, particularly within nanodomains such as the gap junction-adjacent perinexus and mechanical junction-associated adhesion-excitability nodes, and that perturbations of ID structure, such as those that appear in disease states like heart failure or atrial fibrillation, alter cardiac conduction. This suggests that the ID may play an important, active role in regulating conduction. However, no systematic investigation of how ID nanostructure influences cardiac conduction in health or disease has yet been done. Based on our previously published work, we develop an approach to integrate the distribution of ion channels within the ID and ID nanoscale structure in a realistic finite element model, based on experimental measurements from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) images. Tissue-scale simulations demonstrated that ID structural heterogeneity leads to significant spatial variation in electrical polarization within the intercellular cleft. Importantly, we find that this heterogeneous cleft polarization regulates conduction by desynchronizing the activation of post-junctional Na+ currents. Further, we find that disruption of local ID nanodomains can lead to either conduction slowing or enhancing, depending on gap junctional coupling strength. Overall, our study demonstrates that ID nanoscale structure and ion channel distribution can play a significant role in regulating cardiac conduction.

Evaluation of facial tissue stresses under medical devices post application of a cyanoacrylate liquid skin protectant: An integrated experimental-computational study.

Medical device‐related pressure ulcers (PUs) (injuries) are a subclass of PUs, associated with pressure and/or shear applied by a medical device onto the skin. Clinical application of a cyanoacrylate liquid skin protectant (CLSP) under the contours of skin‐contacting medical devices to shield an intact skin from the sustained mechanical loads that are applied by medical devices is a preventative option, but no computer modelling work has been reported to assess the biomechanical efficacy of such interventions. Here, we investigated the biomechanical protective effect of a polymerised cyanoacrylate coating using three‐dimensional, anatomically realistic finite element models of the ear with oxygen cannula and the mouth with endotracheal attachment device, informed by experimental studies. We have compared tissue stress exposures under the devices at these facial sites between conditions where the cyanoacrylate skin protectant has been applied or where the device was contacting the skin directly, without the shielding of the cyanoacrylate coating. The CLSP considerably reduced the skin stress concentration levels and overall tissue stress exposures under the aforementioned medical devices. This demonstrates strong biomechanical effectiveness of the studied cyanoacrylate‐based skin protectant in prevention of facial medical device‐related injuries at small, curved and thereby difficult to protect facial sites.

Design criteria for pin-ended hot-rolled and laser-welded stainless steel equal-leg angle columns

This paper explores an attempt to investigate the structural behaviour and design of equal-leg stainless steel angle columns fabricated by the laser-welding of individual hot-rolled plates and by hot-rolling process. The studies cover columns with pin-ended boundary conditions exposed to pure axial compression. An advanced and realistic finite element model able to replicate the buckling features of stainless steel angle columns is developed and validated against available experiments collected in the literature. Employing the validated finite element model, quantitative numerical parametric studies, considering minor-axis flexural buckling, as well as flexural–torsional buckling, are performed. Based on comprehensive benchmark data, the accuracy, safety and applicability of the existing column design procedures provided in the European and North American structural stainless steel codes are assessed. The evaluation results reveal that the North American codified design procedures lead to conservative and scattered resistance predictions, thereby demonstrating a need for their improvement. As a result of conducted studies, the new criteria for design of pin-ended hot-rolled and laser-welded stainless steel equal-leg angle columns are proposed. Their suitability for inclusion in the European structural stainless steel design code is confirmed by statistical reliability analyses in accordance with EN 1990.

Intercalated disk nanoscale structure regulates cardiac conduction.

The intercalated disk (ID) is a specialized subcellular region that provides electrical and mechanical connections between myocytes in the heart. The ID has a clearly defined passive role in cardiac tissue, transmitting mechanical forces and electrical currents between cells. Recent studies have shown that Na+ channels, the primary current responsible for cardiac excitation, are preferentially localized at the ID, particularly within nanodomains such as the gap junction-adjacent perinexus and mechanical junction-associated adhesion-excitability nodes, and that perturbations of ID structure alter cardiac conduction. This suggests that the ID may play an important, active role in regulating conduction. However, the structures of the ID and intercellular cleft are not well characterized and, to date, no models have incorporated the influence of ID structure on conduction in cardiac tissue. In this study, we developed an approach to generate realistic finite element model (FEM) meshes replicating nanoscale of the ID structure, based on experimental measurements from transmission electron microscopy images. We then integrated measurements of the intercellular cleft electrical conductivity, derived from the FEM meshes, into a novel cardiac tissue model formulation. FEM-based calculations predict that the distribution of cleft conductances is sensitive to regional changes in ID structure, specifically the intermembrane separation and gap junction distribution. Tissue-scale simulations predict that ID structural heterogeneity leads to significant spatial variation in electrical polarization within the intercellular cleft. Importantly, we found that this heterogeneous cleft polarization regulates conduction by desynchronizing the activation of postjunctional Na+ currents. Additionally, these heterogeneities lead to a weaker dependence of conduction velocity on gap junctional coupling, compared with prior modeling formulations that neglect or simplify ID structure. Further, we found that disruption of local ID nanodomains can either slow or enhance conduction, depending on gap junctional coupling strength. Our study therefore suggests that ID nanoscale structure can play a significant role in regulating cardiac conduction.

Finite element analysis in fused deposition modeling research: A literature review

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a popular rapid prototyping technique. Finite Element (FE) methods are generally applied in simulations of the FDM process. Mostly FE methods are used for initial analysis which are compared with experimental methods. The main objective of this paper is reviewing the existing literature related to finite element methods in FDM research and pointing out some limitations. For the literature review, the selected papers are divided into three domains: thermal analysis, geometrical analysis, and mechanical characterization. It is found that there is no FE model on surface finish and geometrical analysis. However, there are geometrical simulation models on surface finish and geometrical analysis. It is also found that there is no realistic FE model in the existing literature. Realistic FE models are very much required for increasing the prediction accuracy of the models. For this reason, researchers should more focus on the FE analysis of FDM fabricated parts.

Image-based numerical modeling for the effective thermo-elastic property of 4D carbon/carbon composite at high temperatures

This paper presents a two-scale method for the predictions of the effective coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 4D-inplane carbon/carbon composite. The realistic finite element models of the carbon/carbon composite microstructure have been reconstructed through X-ray tomography images that directly include some of the microstructural features in the geometry such as the bundle imperfections, irregularly shaped voids, and bundle alignments. The localized behaviour of the composite has been studied under thermomechanical loads (from 27 °C to 2227 °C) at two scales namely; 1) micro-scale (where bundles are considered as a composite of fiber and matrix), 2) mesoscale (where bundles are considered embedded in the matrix to form a 4D carbon/carbon composite). The effect of the imperfection of the interface on the effective behaviour of CTE has been concluded using three conditions such as perfectly bonded, imperfectly bonded, and completely debonded. The CTEs have also been measured using experiments at mesoscale in in-plane (U-direction) and out of plane (Z-direction) directions over a range of temperatures from 200 to 2000 °C. The experimental data is used to validate the numerical predictions and it has found that the predicted behaviour of the effective CTEs over the entire range of temperature is in good agreement with the experimental observations.

Computational Study on Spatially Distributed Sequential Stimulation for Fatigue Resistant Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used to artificially induce muscle contractions of paralyzed limbs in individuals with stroke or spinal cord injury, however, the therapeutic efficacy can be significantly limited by rapid fatiguing of the targeted muscle. A unique stimulation method, called spatially distributed sequential stimulation (SDSS), has been shown clinically to reduce fatiguing during FES, but further improvement is needed. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of SDSS-induced neural activation in the human lower leg using a computational approach. We developed a realistic finite element model of the lower leg to investigate SDSS, by solving the electric field generated by SDSS and predicting neural activation. SDSS applied at 10 Hz was further compared with conventional transcutaneous stimulation that delivered electrical pulses at 40 Hz through a single electrode. We found that SDSS electrically activated multiple sub-populations of motor neurons within the TA muscle that fired at frequencies ranging between 10 Hz and 40 Hz. This complex nerve activation pattern depicts the mechanism of action of SDSS for reducing muscle fatigue during NMES.

Damage initiation and propagation mechanisms of 3-D angle-interlock woven composites under thermo-oxidative aging

The thermo-oxidative aging behavior of carbon/matrix composite material reinforced with 3D angle-interlock woven perform (3DAWC) was investigated experimentally and numerically. The aim is to explore the damage mechanism of thermo-oxidative aging through micro-CT 3-D reconstruction. We found that the interface between adjacent orthogonal yarns is favorable sites for crack onset. Cracks extend horizontally from four free outer surfaces to the interior of the sample. The propagation of the crack is continuously hindered by the undulating warp tows. Crack volume and maximum crack depth are positively correlated with aging day. Realistic finite element models of 3DAWC are constructed according to CT slices to detect the influence of yarn architecture on the sensitivity to damage mechanism. The results show that diamond-shaped weft is the stress concentration areas caused by a temperature drop and the shrinkage of the nearby resin region is more serious. The finite element model can predict the most likely location of the crack initiation.

Impact of Aortic Stenosis on Myofiber Stress: Translational Application of Left Ventricle-Aortic Coupling Simulation

The severity of aortic stenosis (AS) has traditionally been graded by measuring hemodynamic parameters of transvalvular pressure gradient, ejection jet velocity, or estimating valve orifice area. Recent research has highlighted limitations of these criteria at effectively grading AS in presence of left ventricle (LV) dysfunction. We hypothesized that simulations coupling the aorta and LV could provide meaningful insight into myocardial biomechanical derangements that accompany AS. A realistic finite element model of the human heart with a coupled lumped-parameter circulatory system was used to simulate AS. Finite element analysis was performed with Abaqus FEA. An anisotropic hyperelastic model was assigned to LV passive properties, and a time-varying elastance function governed the LV active response. Global LV myofiber peak systolic stress (mean ± standard deviation) was 9.31 ± 10.33 kPa at baseline, 13.13 ± 10.29 kPa for moderate AS, and 16.18 ± 10.59 kPa for severe AS. Mean LV myofiber peak systolic strains were −22.40 ± 8.73%, −22.24 ± 8.91%, and −21.97 ± 9.18%, respectively. Stress was significantly elevated compared to baseline for moderate (p < 0.01) and severe AS (p < 0.001), and when compared to each other (p < 0.01). Ventricular regions that experienced the greatest systolic stress were (severe AS vs. baseline) basal inferior (39.87 vs. 30.02 kPa; p < 0.01), mid-anteroseptal (32.29 vs. 24.79 kPa; p < 0.001), and apex (27.99 vs. 23.52 kPa; p < 0.001). This data serves as a reference for future studies that will incorporate patient-specific ventricular geometries and material parameters, aiming to correlate LV biomechanics to AS severity.

Finite Element Modeling and Validation of a Human Foot through experimental studies

The mechanical experimentation in human beings is practically very difficult due to various laws and procedures. The use of Finite Element (FE) model of the human parts has a significant effect in research. Foot, the most complex structure in human body consists of 26 bones and 33 joints. As reported in the existing literatures, several finite element foot models are developed by imposing simplifications on its anatomy by considering the ligaments as tension free link element, which has a significant variance compared to the experimental results. This paper attempts to develop and validate a realistic finite element model of a normal human foot with bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments mimicking the actual foot using Image Reconstruction Techniques (IRT). The finite element analysis on this model is performed to simulate the balanced standing condition by applying the necessary loading and boundary conditions. Under balanced standing condition, a maximum Von Mises stress of 0.139 MPa is observed in the heel region. For validating the results obtained from finite element analysis, the experimental studies with (i) Moticon insole and (ii) Noraxon’s FDM-T SciFit Treadmill is conducted, which provided a variation of 4.3 % and 0.7 % respectively with FE studies.

A Review on the Finite Element Modeling of the Particle Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites in Cutting Process

Background:: Particle Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites (PRMMCs) are widely used because of the higher specific strength, better dimensional stability, lower thermal expansion coefficient, better wear and corrosion resistance. However, the existence of reinforcing particles makes it hard to machine. The main manifestations are as follows: severe tool wear, easy generation of debris tumors in processing, and many defects on the machined surface, etc. These seriously limit its wider application. The Finite Element Method (FEM) has been widely applied in the research of PRMMCs machining according to recent patents, which can improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of research. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a deep research for the processing technology of PRMMCs. Methods:: In this paper, the latest research progress of finite element simulation of cutting PRMMCs was summarized. The key technologies of finite element simulation, including constitutive model, geometric model, friction model between chip and tool, fracture criterion and mesh generation, are comprehensively analyzed and summarized. The application in the specific processing methods was discussed, such as turning, milling, grinding, ultrasonic vibration grinding and drilling. The existing problems and development direction of the simulation of PRMMCs cutting are also given. Besides, a lot of patents on finite element simulation for PRMMCs machining were studied. Results:: Finite element model for the actual composition determines the accuracy of finite element simulation. Through the secondary development of finite element software, a more realistic finite element model of Particle reinforced metal matrix composites can be established. Conclusion:: Finite Element Method (FEM) provides a new approach for the study of mechanism of Particle reinforced metal matrix composites machining. Quantitative analysis and prediction of micro- details in cutting can be realized.

Realistic modeling of mesoscopic ephaptic coupling in the human brain.

Several decades of research suggest that weak electric fields may influence neural processing, including those induced by neuronal activity and proposed as a substrate for a potential new cellular communication system, i.e., ephaptic transmission. Here we aim to model mesoscopic ephaptic activity in the human brain and explore its trajectory during aging by characterizing the electric field generated by cortical dipoles using realistic finite element modeling. Extrapolating from electrophysiological measurements, we first observe that modeled endogenous field magnitudes are comparable to those in measurements of weak but functionally relevant self-generated fields and to those produced by noninvasive transcranial brain stimulation, and therefore possibly able to modulate neuronal activity. Then, to evaluate the role of these fields in the human cortex in large MRI databases, we adapt an interaction approximation that considers the relative orientation of neuron and field to estimate the membrane potential perturbation in pyramidal cells. We use this approximation to define a simplified metric (EMOD1) that weights dipole coupling as a function of distance and relative orientation between emitter and receiver and evaluate it in a sample of 401 realistic human brain models from healthy subjects aged 16–83. Results reveal that ephaptic coupling, in the simplified mesoscopic modeling approach used here, significantly decreases with age, with higher involvement of sensorimotor regions and medial brain structures. This study suggests that by providing the means for fast and direct interaction between neurons, ephaptic modulation may contribute to the complexity of human function for cognition and behavior, and its modification across the lifespan and in response to pathology.