Chinese scientists have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in medical technology with the development of a new biodegradable piezoelectric material. This innovative material holds the potential to revolutionize medical implants by eliminating the need for surgical removal.
The research team at Southeast University in the Chinese mainland, led by Zhang Hanyue and Professor Xiong Rengen, has engineered a ferroelectric molecular crystal that exhibits exceptional piezoelectric properties while being fully biodegradable. Piezoelectric materials are capable of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, a feature that is essential in devices such as pacemakers and targeted drug delivery systems.
Traditional piezoelectric materials used in medical implants are not biodegradable, necessitating an additional surgical procedure to remove the device once it has served its purpose. This not only increases healthcare costs but also poses additional risks to patients due to the invasive nature of surgery.
The newly developed material boasts a piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of approximately 138 picocoulombs per newton, which is a remarkable 13-fold increase over previous biodegradable options. By integrating the material with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the researchers have created a composite that is both highly flexible and biocompatible. This means it can be safely implanted into the body and will naturally dissolve over time, eliminating the need for a removal surgery.
“This innovation paves the way for the next generation of medical implants that are not only more efficient but also safer for patients,” said Professor Xiong Rengen. The potential applications of this material are vast, ranging from self-powered pacemakers to responsive drug delivery systems that can interact seamlessly with the body’s biological processes.
The findings were published in the March 29 issue of Science magazine, marking a significant milestone in material science and biomedical engineering. Media outlets in the Chinese mainland have hailed the discovery as a landmark breakthrough since the original discovery of the piezoelectric effect by the Curie brothers in 1880.
This advancement underscores China’s growing role in cutting-edge scientific research and its commitment to addressing global health challenges through innovation.
Reference(s):
Chinese scientists discover new material for future medical implants
cgtn.com
