Biomedical Implants

Piezoelectric materials can be integrated to power critical devices such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, diagnostic sensors, and deep brain stimulators. These materials can harvest energy from the physiological environment, such as heartbeats, respiration, muscle contractions, or blood flow, to power implants. This reduces the dependence on traditional batteries, which require battery replacement surgeries that carry risks of infection and morbidity for patients, as well as an increased economic burden on the healthcare sector.

In addition to powering devices, piezoelectric materials also play a role in tissue regeneration. Bone is a natural piezoelectric material, and electrical stimulation can signal osteoblast differentiation, migration, and bone repair. Taking advantage of this property, piezoelectric implants can provide localized electrical stimulation to aid bone healing and regeneration. Moreover, electromechanical conversion technologies integrated into such implants can monitor bone health in real time, supporting more controlled and adaptive treatment strategies.