Scientists in Spain have developed a new class of artificial proteins that can conduct and store electricity—paving the way for safer, faster, and more eco-friendly energy storage devices.
These materials, designed to be sustainable and biocompatible, could one day replace the metals and chemicals currently used in batteries and electronic devices.
The study, published in Advanced Materials, was led by Aitziber L. Cortajarena, scientific director of CIC biomaGUNE; Reyes Calvo of BCMaterials; and Maica Morant of CIC EnergiGUNE.
Their work is part of the e-PROT project, which focuses on using protein-based materials to solve energy challenges.
Unlike natural proteins, which are produced by living organisms, these proteins were built entirely in the lab.
The scientists designed them using a modular approach—assembling small, identical units one by one, like LEGO bricks.
This makes them highly customizable: scientists can give the protein new functions, such as conducting electricity, without changing its basic shape or stability.
To turn the protein into a conductor, the researchers modified the DNA that holds the genetic instructions for making it.
This change allowed the resulting protein to move charged particles, or ions, more efficiently through its structure.
The enhanced movement of ions made the material capable of storing and releasing electrical energy quickly, just like the components used in batteries or supercapacitors.
When tested, the protein-based material performed extremely well as part of an energy storage device. It was stable, efficient, and easy to handle, meaning it could be used in industrial processes without breaking down or losing its properties.
Because these proteins are biodegradable and non-toxic, they are far safer for both people and the environment than traditional materials made from heavy metals or synthetic chemicals.
The potential applications are vast. These protein-based conductors could be used to build next-generation bioelectronic devices—such as pacemakers, implantable glucose sensors, and electrodes for treating neurological diseases like Parkinson’s.
Unlike today’s materials, which can trigger immune reactions or wear out over time, protein-based devices could integrate smoothly with human tissue.
Beyond medical uses, the technology could also transform consumer electronics. Imagine phones, fitness trackers, or other gadgets powered by biodegradable batteries made from proteins instead of lithium or cobalt. Such devices would be not only safer but also far more sustainable, reducing the environmental damage caused by mining and waste.
As Professor Cortajarena’s team notes, this breakthrough brings us closer to a future where clean, efficient, and biocompatible materials power our technology.
What once seemed like science fiction—storing energy in materials built from proteins—is now becoming a realistic path toward a greener, safer energy future.
