A team of scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) in Mohali, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has found that a bacterial shell protein can act as a semiconductor. This discovery could lead to the development of environmentally friendly electronics, including devices like mobile phones, smartwatches, medical instruments, and sensors.
Traditional semiconductor materials like silicon have limitations such as rigidity, high-energy processing requirements, and contributing to electronic waste. The demand for sustainable, soft, and biocompatible electronics is increasing, especially for wearables, implantable devices, and green sensors.
The scientists at INST conducted experiments using self-assembling bacterial shell proteins to investigate their semiconductor properties. These proteins naturally form stable, large flat 2D sheets with electron density patterns and aromatic residues, making them potentially photoactive.
When these proteins assemble into flat, sheet-like structures, they can absorb UV light and produce an electrical current without the need for additional dyes, metals, or external power sources. This behavior makes them function as light-driven semiconductors, similar to materials used in electronic circuits and sensors.
The team observed that the proteins arrange themselves into thin, sheet-like structures, and when exposed to UV light, they exhibit movement of tiny electrical charges across the protein surface. This movement is facilitated by the presence of tyrosine, a natural amino acid in the proteins that releases electrons when stimulated by light.
The discovery has significant implications for practical applications. The flexible and biocompatible nature of the material opens up possibilities for creating wearable health monitors, UV-detection patches safe for the skin, and implantable medical sensors suitable for use inside the human body. Additionally, the proteins could be utilized in temporary environmental sensors like pollution detectors or sunlight trackers that naturally degrade after use, posing no harm to the environment.
Families, patients, and consumers may soon benefit from the development of soft, comfortable, and environmentally friendly devices that seamlessly integrate into everyday life.
