Modulation of calcium metabolism on osteosarcoma cells using ultrasound-actuated piezoelectric nanogenerators

Piezoelectric materials respond to mechanical stimuli producing a voltage. When using piezoelectric nanostructures, they can convert tiny amounts of mechanical energy into electricity. These devices are commonly named as nanogenerators [1]. Recently, they are being used for biological application to stimulate cells [2]. The main objective of this work is to prove that microdevices with piezoelectric ZnO nanosheets (NSs) respond to the application of biomedical-range ultrasounds (US) and are capable of stimulate cells. In this work, we report that these microdevices produced a signal in the order of millivolts when powered with 3 MHz - 1.0 Wcm(-2) US. Besides, in contact with Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells, a part of the population was stimulated in response of the US actuation, observed using calcium (Ca2+) imaging.