Silk-based piezoelectric biomaterials: Next-generation smart scaffolds for tissue regeneration and biomedical applications

Abstract

The convergence of materials science and regenerative medicine has spurred the development of advanced biomaterials capable of actively directing cellular behavior. Silk proteins, renowned for their superlative biocompatibility, precisely controllable biodegradation, and formidable mechanical resilience, have emerged as a frontier material in this domain. This review elucidates recent, significant advancements in harnessing the intrinsic piezoelectricity of silk proteins to create “smart” biopolymeric scaffolds for tissue regeneration. We comprehensively discuss the molecular origins of silk's electromechanical properties and survey the state-of-the-art fabrication techniques, including electrospinning and 3D printing, used to develop functional devices for wearable and implantable biomedical applications. A central focus is the synthesis of high-performance hybrid materials that amplify therapeutic electrical stimulation, thereby enhancing osteogenesis, guiding neural growth, and improving tissue integration. While acknowledging challenges in scalability and long-term in vivo stability, this review establishes that silk-based piezoelectric platforms represent a transformative technology. By converting physiological mechanical forces into regenerative electrical cues, these intelligent scaffolds hold immense promise for engineering complex tissues and restoring biological function, heralding a new era of personalized, effective therapeutic strategies.