Peptide-Based Piezoelectric Biomaterials

Why in News?

Recently, "Researchers at CeNS Bengaluru, IISER Kolkata, and JNCASR Bengaluru have developed a peptide‑based piezoelectric biomaterial with potential biomedical applications."

• Piezoelectricity – It is the phenomenon where mechanical stress generates electric charge in certain solids such as ceramics, crystals, and biological materials (DNA, bone, proteins).
• The term originates from Greek words meaning "press" and "amber," historically linked to electricity.
• New findings – While the chemical composition stays the same, differences in molecular arrangement change the material’s functionality.
• Key Observations
• When dissolved in water, peptide molecules form nanofibers and show no detectable piezoelectric response.
• With about 1% co-solvent, peptide molecules reorganise into a supramolecular structure that displays a strong piezoelectric response.

Self-assembly - Peptide molecules form ordered supramolecular structures on their own.

• The same peptide, assembled differently, exhibits distinct electrical properties.
• This finding highlights the essential relationship between structure and function in biomaterials.
• Researchers employed advanced nanoscale characterisation techniques, including the following:
  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) – This technique examines surface and topographical features at the nanoscale.
  • Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) – It provides high-resolution imaging of nanostructures.
  • Computational simulations – These simulations help elucidate molecular organisation and interactions.
• Potential Uses
  • Implantable medical sensors
  • Biosensors
  • Electronic skin
  • Wearable health‑monitoring devices
  • Energy harvesting

• Mechanism – Natural body movements, such as heartbeat, breathing, and walking, cause mechanical deformation.
• Peptide piezoelectric materials convert this mechanical deformation into electrical energy.
• Thus, such materials could potentially help develop self-powered, low-energy biomedical devices.

Reference

PIB | Piezoelectricity