Photosynthetic Reaction Centers as Active Molecular Electronic Components. Phase I

Abstract

The aim of this project is the development of reaction centers from photosynthetic bacteria for use in molecule-based components and devices. Reaction centers (RCs) exhibit a highly efficient, rapid, long-distance photo induced charge separation under a wide variety of conditions. The reaction center has electronic properties which are far superior, more flexible, and much less expensive to produce than any known synthetic donor/acceptor system. During the course of this project we developed strategies for the attachment of reaction centers to electrode surfaces, and demonstrated the first steps in this process. Our approach employed molecular modeling, site-directed mutagenesis, and the attachment of dye molecules to a particular RC site. Correlated developments include refinement and simplification of the process for preparing reaction centers, studies of materials issues, studies of device concepts, and transfer-of RC preparation techniques to Biological Components Corporation.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 13, 1993
Accession Number
ADA271388

Entities

People

  • Albert F. Lawrence

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption Spectra
  • Acids
  • Aluminum Oxides
  • Bacteria
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Chemical Detectors
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Materials
  • Molecular Biology
  • Molecular Electronics
  • Molecules
  • Oxygen
  • Proteins
  • Small Molecules

Readers

  • Chemistry (specifically Chemical Fluorescence)
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics