Nanoscale Temperature Increases Are Not Required for Molecular Stimulation Using Nanoparticles under Radiofrequency Magnetic Fields: A Thermal Energy Flux Mechanism of Remote Enzyme Stimulation

Radiofrequency heating of enzymes promises to be a remote method to selectively stimulate molecular activity near the surface of heated particles while leaving the background temperature and off-target molecules unaffected. However, mounting experimental and theoretical evidence indicates decidedly insignificant temperature increases near the surface of isolated particles, calling into question the underlying premise of remote nanoscale control of enzymes. To investigate whether localized enzyme stimulation is possible without significant temperature increases, this work presents an alternative model of enzyme stimulation that arises from thermal phonon currents. We establish the basis of phonon mediated stimulation of enzymes, fit reported data, and demonstrate that a phonon flux model strongly supports reports of discrete enzyme stimulation. An empirical formula is then derived in terms of particle specific absorption rate and the distance to the enzyme that can be used to predict and fit experimental measurements of enzyme turnover rates.