A newly discovered semiconductor property of a natural protein could pave the way for developing safe, low cost and environmentally friendly electronics — from mobile phones and smart watches to medical instruments and environmental sensors.
Traditional semiconductor materials such as silicon are valuable technological tools but come with limitations. They are rigid, require high-energy processing and contribute to the growing problem of electronic waste. Thus, there is increasing demand for sustainable, soft and biocompatible electronics for wearable gadgets, body implants and green sensors.
A team of scientists from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, explored the use of bacterial shell proteins that naturally form stable, large flat sheets with built-in electron density patterns to discern whether these could be intrinsically photoactive.
The research team led by Dr Sharmistha Sinha, found that when the proteins form flat films, they absorb ultraviolet (UV) light and generate an electrical current without any added dyes, metals or external power, and act as light-driven, scaffold-free semiconductors similar to materials used in electronic circuits and sensors.
The researchers discovered that these proteins naturally arrange themselves into thin, sheet-like structures. When UV light shines on them, tiny electrical charges begin to move across the protein surface. This happens because the proteins contain tyrosine, a natural amino acid that can release electrons when excited by light.
As these electrons and protons move, the protein sheet produces an electrical signal similar to how a miniature solar cell would operate. This light-driven effect relies on the protein’s internal order and does not require any synthetic additives or high-temperature manufacturing.
“This not only demonstrates the first native protein scaffold with semiconducting and photo-responsive properties but also establishes a foundational platform for building the next generation of functional, genetically encoded bioelectronics,” the researchers said in their study, published in the Chemical Science, a peer reviewed journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
The discovery opens up exciting possibilities for real-world applications. Since the material is flexible and body-friendly, it could be used to create wearable health monitors, skin-safe UV-detection patches and implantable medical sensors that work safely inside the human body, according to information shared by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
It could also be used in temporary or disposable environmental sensors, such as pollution detectors or sunlight trackers that naturally break down after use without harming the environment. Families, patients, and consumers may one day benefit from soft, comfortable, and environmentally responsible devices that integrate smoothly into daily life, the Ministry added.
“The study represents a promising step toward bio-inspired electronics, where materials are designed by learning directly from the ingenious mechanisms found in nature. Such materials could lead to a new generation of electronic technologies that are not only functional and efficient, but also sustainable, safe, and aligned with the needs of both people and the planet,” the Ministry said.
