Electronic protein chips give flexibility

An Israeli research team are developing electronics based on protein fragments which could lead to lighter and completely flexible electronic devices.

Yoav Eichen, Nir Tessler and colleagues at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, have developed a new class of organic semiconductor which they can use as electronic-grade material that does not break down when it carries a current.

By using a laboratory peptide synthesiser the team can build up peptides very exactly and with purity levels that they hope will be suitable for active elements in electronics. Prof. Tessler.explains: “We believe that in the near future, it will be possible to design and build organic materials with electronic activity by setting a sequence of various building blocks in peptides.”

The Technion team add that this technology will not replace silicon-based circuitry in computers, but they say, today’s existing screens, including flat screens, will disappear. They suggest the electronic peptides will allow thin, flexible screens that can be folded with colour quality beyond existing technology.

The team have been granted a patent on the technology and have formed a company, Peptronics, to exploit electronic peptide technology.