Mechanical deformation and electrical polarization in biological substances

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Fukada, Eiichi

Affiliations: The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, Yamato, Saitama-Pref., Japan

Abstract: In a number of biological substances, mechanical strain and electrical polarization are closely linked together by piezoelectric effect, which is usually assigned to the property of crystals. Stress induced polarization and field induced strain were investigated in wood (cellulose), bone and tendon (collagen). The matrix of piezoelectric moduli was determined. Recently, the effect was also confirmed in soft tissues such as blood vessels, intestines, and trachea. Physiological meaning of the piezoelectric effect in biopolymers was noticed in connection with growth mechanism of bone and with the tactual sense. The study in synthetic polypeptides suggested some molecular interpretation of the effect.

DOI: 10.3233/BIR-1968-5302

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 199-208, 1968