How Ion Channels Produce Electrical Signals

In living cells, ions move through specialized protein channels embedded in the cell membrane, generating electrical signals such as nerve impulses that control muscle activity. These channels contain extremely narrow pathways and can switch between open and closed states. External stimuli cause structural changes in the proteins, which regulate the flow of ions.

Figure 1. Atom-Scale Gates Engineered to Replicate Living Cell Functions.

A Solid-State System Inspired by Biology

Drawing inspiration from these natural processes, researchers developed a solid-state system that forms pores nearly the same size as biological ion channels. They began by creating a nanopore in a silicon nitride membrane, which served as a tiny reaction chamber where even smaller pores could form. Figure 1 shows Atom-Scale Gates Engineered to Replicate Living Cell Functions.

When a negative voltage was applied, it triggered a chemical reaction inside the nanopore that produced a solid deposit. As this material built up, it gradually blocked the pore. Reversing the voltage dissolved the deposit, reopening the pathway for ions to flow.

“We were able to repeat this opening and closing process hundreds of times over several hours,” said lead author Makusu Tsutsui, highlighting the system’s stability and controllability.

Electrical Spikes and Tunable Ion Transport

The researchers monitored ion flow through the membrane and detected sudden bursts of electrical current—patterns similar to those observed in natural ion channels. Their findings suggest that these spikes likely result from the formation of numerous subnanometer pores within the original nanopore.

They also discovered that the system’s behavior could be finely adjusted. By altering the composition and pH of the reactant solutions, they were able to control the size and characteristics of these ultrasmall pores.

“We were able to vary the behavior and effective size of the ultrasmall pores by changing the composition and pH of the reactant solutions,” explained senior author Tomoji Kawai. “This allowed selective transport of ions of different sizes through the membrane by tuning the pore dimensions.”

Potential Applications in Sensing and Brain-Inspired Computing

This innovative reaction approach enables multiple ultrasmall pores to form within a single nanopore, providing a powerful platform to study how ions and fluids behave in extremely confined, biology-like environments.

The chemically driven membrane system could also advance emerging technologies such as single-molecule sensing (like nanopore-based DNA sequencing), neuromorphic computing (where electrical spikes mimic neuron activity), and nanoreactors that create unique reaction conditions at the nanoscale.

Source: SciTECHDaily

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2026), Scientists Create Atom-Scale Gates That Mimic Living Cell Behavior, AnaTechMaz, pp. 455