Tiny molecular switch enables nature-inspired biomaterials for self-powered healthcare

Researchers from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, in collaboration with IISER Kolkata and JNCASR Bengaluru, have developed a molecular strategy using peptides to create piezoelectric biomaterials. By introducing a small amount of co-solvent into peptide nanofibers in water, molecules reorganize into a ordered supramolecular arrangement without altering their chemical composition. This controlled chiral self-assembly aligns molecular dipoles into a non-centrosymmetric structure, activating a strong piezoelectric response that converts mechanical energy into electricity. The engineered nanomaterials achieved a high piezoelectric coefficient of nearly 30 pm Vⁱ, presenting potential for implantable medical devices, wearable electronics, and sustainable soft electronics.