Creating Biodegradable Transistors From Human Body Proteins

TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY, TEL AVIV, ISRAEL. Protein-based transistors that are made from milk, mucus proteins and blood can now be the foundation of new generation of electronic devices. These transistors are biodegradable and flexible. These transistors completely deviate from the typical silicon-based transistors.

Prof. Michael Gozin, Dr. Shachar Richter, Ph.D. students Netta Hendler, Elad Mentovich and Bogdan Belgorodsky employed distinct combinations of mucus proteins, milk and blood to any base material. This allowed the molecules to self-assemble and created a semi-conducting film on a nano-scale. This also made it possible for their team to manufacture an entire circuit with optical and electronic capacities.

Each protein has a natural ability. The mucosal proteins can keep the blue, red and green fluorescent dyes separated. They were utilized in creating the white light emission needed for advanced optics. The proteins in blood can absorb oxygen that allowed the doping of semi-conductors with certain chemicals needed to create specific properties. In addition to that, milk proteins have admirable strength in tough environments and that is why they were formed into fibers that serve as building blocks of the transistor.

Maximizing the natural abilities of each protein, they were able to control various attributes of the transistor like memory storage, fluorescence and conductivity adjustments. When compared to silicon-based transistors, they do not tear down when bent. This made them more useful when it comes to technologies like microchips, tablets, displays, bio sensors and mobile phones.

This new transistor is biodegradable and that makes it a very good solution to the increasing concerns regarding electronic waste. It will also pave the way for the smooth transition from a silicon to a carbon generation.