Cell Membrane Motion Generates Electricity via ATP-Driven Fluctuations, Study Confirms

A scientific confirmation has established that imperceptible motion on living cell membranes generates electricity through the physical mechanism known as flexoelectricity, offering new perspectives on cellular communication dynamics. This breakthrough, detailed in the December 2025 publication in the journal PNAS Nexus, centers on the finding that continuous, energy-fueled fluctuations of the cell membrane produce measurable electrical effects.

The research, spearheaded by Pradeep Sharma and collaborators, introduced a novel mathematical model to quantify this phenomenon. The core discovery is that these mechanical fluctuations are driven by active molecular processes, specifically ATP hydrolysis, which releases energy that manifests as fluctuating mechanical forces on the membrane structure. This mechanism directly links the cell's constant energy expenditure to electrical signaling, moving beyond purely chemical or electrical models of membrane function.

Data derived from the theoretical framework indicates that the generated voltages can reach magnitudes as high as 90 millivolts across the membrane, a level comparable to voltage changes observed during neuronal signaling. Furthermore, these electrical variations were calculated to occur on millisecond timescales, aligning precisely with the temporal characteristics of typical action potential curves seen in neurons. The framework developed by the research team bridges biological activity with core physical principles to explain electrical behavior without relying solely on specialized structures like nerves.

The implications for biophysics and cellular biology in 2026 are substantial, providing a tangible physical basis for understanding sensory perception and the mechanism of neuronal firing. The research suggests that these active membrane fluctuations can generate a force capable of driving ion transport across the membrane, potentially pushing ions against their natural electrochemical gradients—a process typically requiring energy-intensive protein pumps. This predictive power regarding ion transport against gradients represents a major theoretical advancement in understanding cellular energy use and signaling efficiency.

Flexoelectricity, a universal property in dielectric materials relating polarization to strain gradients, is particularly relevant in soft materials like biological membranes where it manifests as polarization upon changes in curvature. While thermal fluctuations occur naturally, the new framework emphasizes that only active fluctuations, driven by internal cellular processes like protein dynamics and ATP consumption, yield net harvested energy. The quantification of voltage generation and the millisecond timing directly connect microscopic cellular mechanics to observable macroscopic biological events, suggesting these flexoelectric effects could help alleviate the energy burden on specialized molecular motors responsible for active ion transport.