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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Investigating the Potential of Singly Curved Thin Piezoelectric Transducers for Energy Harvesting and Structural Health Monitoring

Investigating the Potential of Singly Curved Thin Piezoelectric Transducers for Energy Harvesting and Structural Health Monitoring

Published on: November 14, 2025

Virus-based piezoelectric energy generation.

Byung Yang Lee¹, Jinxing Zhang, Chris Zueger

¹Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.

Nature Nanotechnology

|May 15, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers harnessed the piezoelectric properties of M13 bacteriophage (phage) to generate electricity. Genetically engineered phages offer a sustainable and simple method for piezoelectric energy generation.

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Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Nanotechnology
Energy Harvesting

Background:

Piezoelectric materials convert mechanical stress into electrical energy.
Traditional piezoelectric material synthesis often involves toxic compounds and harsh conditions.
Natural materials like bone and collagen exhibit piezoelectric properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the potential of M13 bacteriophage (phage) for piezoelectric energy generation.
To characterize the molecular-level piezoelectric properties of phage.
To develop a phage-based piezoelectric generator.

Main Methods:

Piezoresponse force microscopy was used to analyze phage piezoelectricity.
Self-assembled thin films of phage were created.
Genetic engineering was employed to modify phage coat proteins and tune piezoelectric response.

Main Results:

M13 bacteriophage exhibits piezoelectric and liquid-crystalline properties.
Phage thin films demonstrated piezoelectric strengths up to 7.8 pm/V.
A phage-based generator produced 6 nA current and 400 mV potential, powering a liquid-crystal display.

Conclusions:

M13 bacteriophage is a viable material for piezoelectric energy generation.
Genetic modification allows for tuning of phage piezoelectric properties.
Phage-based piezoelectricity offers a sustainable and scalable alternative to conventional methods.