Significance: Infrared neural stimulation (INS) is an emerging technology for neuromodulation and holds promise for clinical application. While most INS studies have been conducted at near-infrared wavelengths, whether midinfrared light with frequencies matching the chemical bond vibration of biomolecules can influence neuronal function remains unknown. We found that midinfrared light with low water absorption provides nonthermal and reversible modulation of neuronal spiking activity and sensorimotor behavior. Nonlinear resonance between light and chemical bond vibration at the selectivity sieve of the K ⁺ channel directly enhances ion conductivity and thus regulates AP waveform and spiking activity. Together, our results reveal nonthermal effects of MIRS on functional biomolecules, neuronal signaling, and behavior state. Therefore, MIRS could serve as a form of physical neuromodulation.

Controlling active transport of water through membrane channels is essential for advanced nanofluidic devices. Despite advancements in water nanopump design using techniques like short-range invasion and subnanometer-level control, challenges remain facilely and remotely realizing massive waters active transport. Herein, using molecular dynamic simulations, we propose an ultrahigh-flux nanopump, powered by frequency-specific terahertz stimulation, capable of unidirectionally transporting massive water through asymmetric-wettability membrane channels at room temperature without any external pressure. The key physics behind this terahertz-powered water nanopump is revealed to be the energy flow resulting from the asymmetric optical absorption of water.

The accumulation and deposition of amyloid can cause a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The degradation or clearance of this accumulation is currently the most widely accepted therapeutic strategy for intervention in these pathologies. Our study on amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers in vitro revealed that high-frequency terahertz (THz) waves at a specific frequency of 34.88 THz could serve as a physical, efficient, non-thermal denaturation technique to delay the fibrotic process by 80%, as monitored by a thioflavine T (ThT) binding assay and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Additionally, THz waves of this frequency have been shown to have no side effects on normal cells, as confirmed by cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential assays. Furthermore, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations revealed that the THz waves could resonate with Aβ fibrils, disrupting the dense conformation by breaking the β-sheet structure and promoting the formation of abundant coil and bend structures. This study uses the amyloid of Aβ as an example, and the results will further guide interventions for the accumulation of other amyloids, which may provide new ideas for the remission of related diseases.