HBCU/MI: A New Concept for a Programmable Capacitive Charge Injection in Live Cells using
Abstract
A new concept of programmable (ÒsmartÓ) biointerfaces offers an unconventional path to interface microbial functions with extracellular substrates. Discovery of smart biointerfaces with ability to tunnel, capture, and store electrons from the metabolic electron transfer process in microbes can lay the foundation to develop smart biotic charge capacitive materials. Fundamental scientific understanding on how intrinsic properties of an abiotic substrate, such as electrical conductivity, magnetism, and optical signatures, can stress the metabolic function in microbes allows us to: (1) modulate the electron tunneling mechanism at the cellular level, (2) probe the extracellular substrate to capture electrons, and (3) subsequent charge injection to the electrode. Through this understanding, one can create advanced programmable biointerfaces that could serve as fundamental building blocks for developing biotronics where biological function can modulate at the cellular and extracellular level for bidirectional charge transfer. This DOD HBCU/MI Research and Educational project proposes fundamental investigation on the capacitive charge-injection phenomena at a biotic interface by developing a new concept of stressing E-coliÕs metabolic electron transfer process, using a transient property of metal organic frameworks, the molecular magnetism. The projectÕs thesis hypothesis is Òthe short-range order superparamagnetic response of MOF nanocrystals will stimulate the E-coliÕs metabolic function thereby modulating the charge injection at the interface along a molecularly defined routeÓ. Our thesis hypothesis will be tested by conducting four specific aims, which are to: (1) Study physiological responses of E-coli with MOF microstructures, (2) Deduce the programmatic surface chemistries at E-coli/MOF interface, (3) Study the modulatory effect of MOFs magnetic response on the capacitive charge-injection and capacitive performance of the biotic interface. The findings will result in a novel concept to modulate the microbeÕs metabolic electron transfer process for tunneling, capturing, and storing electrons in an abiotic system and will lead to the very first discovery of a de novo ÒsmartÓ capacitive charge-injection biointerface, which could use to create smart biotic supercapacitors and biochips. The discovery of a programmable charge capacitive biointerface and the realization of its charge injection mechanism using a transient molecular magnetism that provide in-depth scientific understanding on the electron tunneling, capture and storage will contribute to the DOD-aligned basic research on ÒBiotronicsÓ. Scientific discoveries to integrate cellular level microbial functions at engineered interface for creating programmable biointerfaces for biosensors, bio-transistors, capacitive biochips, and future biocomputing systems are of immediate interest to the DOD-ARO Electronics research programs and will create revolutionary new Army capabilities in wearable and implantable bioelectronics, enabling the development of novel systems, materials, and processes with superior performance. The research and educational training enabled by the proposed research will have a significant impact on training interdisciplinary scientists with hands-on opportunities to apply synthetic biology and materials science principles to render emerging syn-bio hybrid materials. The results produced from this research and education project will be disseminated through publications, invited talks, and conference presentations. The training will also have a direct participation of veterans, minorities, women, first generation students of Appalachia, and persons with disabilities, as NC A&T is one of the largest HBUÕs, UNCG is a MI, and Bennett College is a womenÕs college.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 28, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310290
Entities
People
- Hemali Rathnayake
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill