Description
Ferroelectricity, a phenomenon where a spontaneous polarization in a solid can be switched by an external electric field, has recently been discovered in blood vessel walls by our group using nanoscale piezoresponse force microscopy. The origin of the phenomena has been attributed to elastin, and glucose has been found to suppress ferroelectric switching substantially. In this discussion, we will review the basics of biological ferroelectricity, elucidate its molecular mechanism, and discuss its possible physiological significance and pathological implications. In particular, an early diagnostic technique based on the ferroelectric switching in aortic wall is proposed to detect arteriosclerosis.
Recommended Citation
Li, J. (2014). Biological ferroelectricity – phenomena, mechanism, and implications. In A. Bajaj, P. Zavattieri, M. Koslowski, & T. Siegmund (Eds.). Proceedings of the Society of Engineering Science 51st Annual Technical Meeting, October 1-3, 2014 , West Lafayette: Purdue University Libraries Scholarly Publishing Services, 2014. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/ses2014/bio/mechano/7
Biological ferroelectricity – phenomena, mechanism, and implications
Ferroelectricity, a phenomenon where a spontaneous polarization in a solid can be switched by an external electric field, has recently been discovered in blood vessel walls by our group using nanoscale piezoresponse force microscopy. The origin of the phenomena has been attributed to elastin, and glucose has been found to suppress ferroelectric switching substantially. In this discussion, we will review the basics of biological ferroelectricity, elucidate its molecular mechanism, and discuss its possible physiological significance and pathological implications. In particular, an early diagnostic technique based on the ferroelectric switching in aortic wall is proposed to detect arteriosclerosis.