Conductive nanofibers extracted from long marine bacteria: a radically new source material for organic electronics

Recently, a novel type of filamentous bacteria has been discovered within the seafloor, which arecapable of guiding electrical currents over centimeter-scale distances. Electrons are transportedfrom cell-to-cell along the longitudinal axis of centimeter-long cable bacteria, but the actual physicalmechanism of conduction remains elusive. The prime objectives of this FWO project are (1) toidentify the conductive structures responsible for microbial long-distance transport and (2) tocharacterize their electrical properties, and (3) their potential for technological applications. Basedon recently acquired data, a model is advanced in which thin fibers within the cell envelope act asthe conductive structures. Computer model analysis suggests that these nanofiber structures couldpossess the highest conductivity and charge mobility of any known biological material, making thema promising new source material for organic electronics. In this FWO project, which involves aninterdisciplinary collaboration between marine microbiology and applied physics, we will examinewhether these fibers are as conductive as projected, confirming their potential of for novel bioelectronicapplications. This will be done by a detailed characterization of the physical structure andelectronic properties of these nanofibers. When successful, the nanofibers will be integrated into aprototypes of a micro-electronic device, exploring their potential for next generation electronics.

Keywords:MICROBIOLOGY

Disciplines:Geology, Aquatic sciences, challenges and pollution