Flexible Biohybrid Nanomembranes for Multifunctional Sensors

A document describes recent activities in a continuing effort to develop devices, based on biohybrid nanomembranes, that would perform diverse sensory functions. The term "biohybrid nanomembranes" signifies flexible organic/inorganic composite membranes, of the order of tens of nanometers thick, typically comprising polymeric outer supporting layers and wholly or partly inorganic (e.g., biomineralized) inner sensory layers. This development is envisioned to yield novel acoustic, infrared, and photothermal sensors characterized by extreme degrees of miniaturization and sensitivity. The main focus of recent activities was on (1) synthesis of new branched and peptide-containing molecules to be incorporated into membranes and (2) further development of sophisticated freely standing membranes with micropatterned structures. In addition, membranes encapsulating arrays of carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles were fabricated and tested in micromechanical Raman-spectroscopic studies. Recent findings include the following: