Poly-l-Lactic Acid Nanotubes as Soft Piezoelectric Interfaces for Biology: Controlling Cell Attachment Polymer Crystallinity.

It has become increasingly evident that the mechanical and electrical environment of a cell is crucial in determining its function and the subsequent behavior of multicellular systems. Platforms through which cells can directly interface with mechanical and electrical stimuli are therefore of great interest. Piezoelectric materials are attractive in this context because of their ability to interconvert mechanical and electrical energy, and piezoelectric , in particular, are ideal candidates for tools within mechanobiology, given their ability to both detect and apply small forces on a length scale that is compatible with cellular dimensions.