Bio-Inspired Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Electronic and Photonic Materials and Structures

The goal of this project was to use DNA and protein as templates to assemble nanoparticles and functional molecules for photonic and electronic applications such as plasmon-enhanced fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) (Fig. 1). Towards this goal, we have utilized both genetic and materials engineering tools. We have followed the molecular biomimetic approach in the assembly of nanoparticles. We have developed protocols using involving biological attachment of nanoparticles and quantum dots onto engineered surface-binding polypeptides (GEPI), and have used directed assembly of nanoparticles and/or functional molecular units.