Design and Fabrication of a Micro Flagellar Motor Based Dynamo

我们打算探索一种新颖的仿生电源，它既具有高功率密度，又具有小封装尺寸。微鞭毛马达发电机或FMD是由MEMS器件和非致病基因工程菌株大肠杆菌(KAF95)鞭毛马达制成的微型混合系统。这种鞭毛马达是一种纳米级的分子马达，能够产生大的旋转扭矩和高功率输出(相对于其他分子马达)。当被拴在微细加工表面时，电机以稳定的转速转动，提供自然的机械动力发生器。FMD通过将鞭毛马达与铜微线圈和微铁磁珠相结合，将这种机械动力转换为电子动力。在连接铁磁珠的情况下，系留电机产生旋转磁场，根据法拉第定律在静止的微线圈中感应电压。根据初步研究，这种感应电压可能提供与甲醇燃料电池相同的功率密度水平。拟议活动的智能优点拟议的项目是朝着为当前和未来的MEMS和NEMS开发有效电源迈出的重要一步。它独特地将微生物学和微制造技术结合在一起，设计和制造了一个既紧凑又高效的生物/人工混合动力系统。拟议活动的广泛影响拟议的项目将为大学和K-12水平的学生创造重要的教育机会。在这一努力下支持的亚利桑那州研究生和本科生将从微生物学和微制造方面的多样化经验中受益匪浅。为该项目招聘的K-12学生和教师将更加了解MEMS和微生物学，这将导致更多的K-12学生将理工科作为职业道路。PI将通过他目前担任的女性和少数族裔工程专业学生导师的角色，积极招募代表性不足的学生。他还将扩大他在NSF-RET计划中的活动，让更多的少数族裔K-12教师参与进来。

We propose to explore a novel biologically inspired power supply that has both a high power density and a small package size. The micro flagellar motor dynamo or FMD is a microscale hybrid system fabricated from MEMS devices and a non-pathogenic, genetically engineered strain of Escherichia coli (KAF95) flagellar motor. Thisflagellar motor is a nanoscale molecular motor capable of a large rotary torque and high power output (relative to other molecular motors). When tethered down to a microfabricated surface, the motor turns at a stable rotational rate, providing a natural mechanical power generator. The FMD converts this mechanical power into an electrical one by combining the flagellar motor with a copper microcoil and micro ferromagnetic beads. With the ferromagnetic beads attached, the tethered motor generates a rotating magnetic field that induces a voltage in the stationary microcoil due to Faraday's Law. Based on a preliminary study, this induced voltage can potentially provide the same power density level as that of a methanol fuel cell.Intellectual Merit of Proposed ActivityThe proposed project is an important step towards the development of an effective electrical power supply for current and future MEMS and NEMS. It uniquely combines the technologies in microbiology and microfabrication to design and fabricate a hybrid biological/artificial power system that is both compact and efficient.Broader Impacts of Proposed ActivityThe proposed project will generate significant educational opportunities for students at both the college and K-12 levels. The UA graduate and undergraduate students supported under this effort will benefit greatly from diversified experience in microbiology and microfabrication. The K-12 students and teachers recruited for the project will become more aware of MEMS and microbiology, which can lead to more K-12 students pursuing science and engineering as a career path. The PI will actively recruit underrepresented students through his current role as a mentor for women and minority engineering students. He will also expand his activities in NSF-RET programs to involve more minority K-12 teachers.