Biomanufacturing for Smart Artificial Electromagnetic Materials and Electronics
Abstract
DNA origami utilises the exquisite chemistry of nucleotide base pairing to direct the self-assembly of nanostructures with designed architecture. Harnessing DNA origami offers an affordable, agile, approach for the ultrahigh-throughput, high-fidelity, mass-manufacture of nanostructures. By the very nature of DNA replication, the probability of errors during mass fabrication of a given geometry are very small. We have developed an ultrahigh-throughput and high-fidelity manufacturing methodology that uses biological systems as “foundries” for the anthropogenic mass-production of nanostructures via DNA origami. This process involves the folding of a long single-stranded loop of DNA (the scaffold) aided by multiple short oligonucleotide strands (staples). Careful design of hundreds of unique staples allows us to programmably fold the scaffold into bespoke geometries. Each staple binds the longer scaffold strand in two discrete positions, “stapling” sections of the “scaffold” together. The synchronous action of hundreds of staples drives the self-assembly of a user-defined nanoscale shape. Our approach of applying DNA origami to the long-standing issue of mass fabrication of optical metamaterials and electronics is novel and scalable, enabling high-fidelity mass-production of (sub-50nm) stable metallic/semiconducting nanostructures with sub-5nm feature sizes. We have used this approach to fabricate meta-films, engineered with user defined properties, consisting of over a billion sub70-nm meta atoms applied to a substrate to reduce reflection from the substrate across the optical spectrum, forming a Low Observable material. In this proposal we aim to extend our techniques in two areas by incorporating single wall Carbon NanoTubes (CNT) into our DNA origami structures. Where we will attach the CNT to the bread board by helically wrapping around the CNT in a TAT repeat oligonucleotide sequence 30 bases long. The reason for these sequences being used is that they are not complementary to sequences on the scaffold or other staples we use and so wont attach off target. CNT’s are well know for their ability to absorb incident EM, reducing reflection. We aim to incorporating CNTs to enhance the properties of our metamaterial-based emissioncontrolled films, acting as absorbers to reduce the EM and optical footprint of assets covered with our film. Secondly we aim to utilizing this approach to develop a 50nm CNT based Vacuum Field Effect Transistors with sub 5nm emitter spacing. The aims of this project are: (1) To develop a proof-of-concept two-electrode (anode and cathode) vacuum FET (2) - Characterize the VFET operating parameters (pressure, voltage, frequency) (3) - Characterize electron emission from a single CNT, gap vs voltage (4) - Optimise protocols for DNA wrapping of CNTs, precision placement and functionalisation (5) - Develop theory and models for electron emission from single CNT.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2023
- Source ID
- FA86552217048
Entities
People
- Rebecca Seviour
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Huddersfield