NIRT: Whole-Cell Biosynthesis of Nanostructured Metal Oxide Semiconductors

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Rorrer 0400648Semiconductor nanocomposite materials possess novel optical and electronic properties that can be tuned by manipulating the dimensions of the composite nanophases. This research will explore a new biological route to nanostructured semiconductor materials that possess microscale features. In Nature, many marine and aquatic organisms assimilate inorganic materials from water to make ornate shell casings that possess defined nano- and microstructure. For example, diatoms, a class of single-celled algae, possess the ability to make silica nanospheres and assemble them into intricate microstructures. The overall goal of this research and education program is to harness the nanobiochemical machinery of diatom cell cultures to fabricate nanostructured metal oxide semiconductor materials based on silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), and titanium (Ti). The Research Plan has three objectives: 1) Develop perfusion-based bioreactor processing strategies for the biosynthesis of nanostructured metal oxide materials in diatom cell culture; 2) Characterize the nanostructure and chemical structure of the composite metal oxide materials fabricated within the diatom cell; 3) Characterize the optoelectronic properties of the nanostructured metal oxide materials, after the appropriate post-processing of the biogenic inorganic material. Ultimately, bioprocessing strategies will be correlated to biogenic nanostructures. In turn, biogenic nanostructure and post processing will be correlated to optoelectronic properties. The challenge and excitement of using a living cell to fabricate a semiconductor combines engineering, biology, and physics in a way that will capture the imagination of students at all levels. Graduate students will be uniquely cross-trained in cell biotechnology, nano-imaging, and semiconductor materials characterization.