Piezoelectricity in screen-printed hydroxyapatite thick films

The discovery of piezoelectricity in calcined thin films and sintered ceramics of synthetic hydroxyapatite is of interest to understand the role of electricity in bone growth and to find use of piezoelectric implants in bone growth stimulation or deceleration and in energy harvesting to run spinal or neuro stimulators. Synthetic apatites including hydroxyapatite and a mixture of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphates are extensively used in bone graft substitute and cement-less implant coating. We provide experimental evidence of piezoelectricity in screen-printed thick-films of hydroxyapatite, which may allow many real-time experiments to understand physiological significance of piezoelectricity and potential in vivo exploitation.