Light-triggered multiphysics-coupled schottky superstructure for electrical stimulation and cell differentiation prediction with AI

Abstract

Piezoelectric materials show unique potential in electrical stimulation therapy; however, their application faces two challenges: the cell-material interfaces are susceptible to perturbations by ultrasonic excitation; and there is a lack of effective strategies to dynamically monitor cellular feedback to electrical stimulation. Inspired by the optical-mechanical-electric coupling effect at the Schottky junctions, a light-triggered multi-physics coupled Schottky superstructure (LtMPc-SS) was prepared by binary self-assembly of barium titanate nanoparticles and gold nanorods. Under the synergistic effect of optomechanical coupling-induced piezoelectric polarization and Schottky energy barriers, LtMPc-SS generated free holes to electrically stimulate mesenchymal stem cells differentiation. Meanwhile, photoexcitation promoted the surface plasmon resonance of LtMPc-SS and realized the real-time detection of biomarkers based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The association between Raman spectra and cell differentiation status were established through artificial intelligence, enabling dynamic prediction of cellular differentiation progression. This study promises to usher in a new era of intelligent on-demand electrical stimulation.