A self-powered delivery substrate boosts active enzyme delivery in response to human movements

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

• Mechanically responsive drug delivery systems are desirable for medical and daily use.
• Designing substrates that maintain molecular activity and high delivery capacity remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a composite substrate for movement-stimulated drug release that preserves enzyme activity.
• To enhance molecular delivery through mechanical stimulation using piezoelectric materials.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite substrate combining piezoelectric-dielectric and layer-by-layer multilayer units.
• Incorporation of mesoporous silica particles for molecular loading and release.
• Testing molecular release (small molecules, peptides, proteins, enzymes) under mechanical stimulation (finger presses).

Main Results:

• The composite film generates and sustains enhanced electricity compared to pure piezoelectric polymers.
• Accelerated release of various molecules, including charged and neutral species, was observed upon finger pressing.
• The enzyme catalase (CAT) retained its activity after release, demonstrating the substrate's biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• The developed composite substrate effectively delivers molecules in response to mechanical stimuli.
• The substrate shows promise for self-powered applications, such as a soothing pad for H2O2 removal using released enzyme CAT.