Biological systems respond to and communicate through biophysical cues, such as electrical, thermal, mechanical and topographical signals. However, precise tools for introducing localized physical stimuli and/or for sensing biological responses to biophysical signals with high spatiotemporal resolution are limited. Inorganic semiconductors display many relevant electrical and optical properties, and they can be fabricated into a broad spectrum of electronic and photonic devices. Inorganic semiconductor devices enable the formation of functional interfaces with biological material, ranging from proteins to whole organs. In this Review, we discuss fundamental semiconductor physics and operation principles, with a focus on their behaviour in physiological conditions, and highlight the advantages of inorganic semiconductors for the establishment of biointerfaces. We examine semiconductor device design and synthesis and discuss typical signal transduction mechanisms at bioelectronic and biophotonic interfaces for electronic and optoelectronic sensing, optoelectronic and photothermal stimulation and photoluminescent in vivo imaging of cells and tissues. Finally, we evaluate cytotoxicity and highlight possible new material components and biological targets of inorganic semiconductor devices.

生物系统响应并通过生物物理线索（例如电，热，机械和地形信号）进行通信。但是，用于引入局部物理刺激和/或以高时空分辨率感测对生物物理信号的生物反应的精确工具是有限的。无机半导体具有许多相关的电学和光学特性，可以被制成各种电子和光子器件。无机半导体器件能够与生物材料形成功能性界面，从蛋白质到整个器官。在这篇评论中，我们讨论了基本的半导体物理学和操作原理，重点是它们在生理条件下的行为，并突出了无机半导体在建立生物界面方面的优势。我们研究了半导体器件的设计和合成，并讨论了在生物电子和生物光子界面上用于电子和光电传感，光电和光热刺激以及细胞和组织体内成像的典型信号转导机制。最后，我们评估了细胞毒性，并重点介绍了无机半导体器件的可能的新材料成分和生物学目标。