Holographic patterning of functional materials using phototactic microorganisms

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The aim of the proposed research project is the development of a novel method for the holographic patterning of phototactic microalgae, which are further converted into multiscale hybrid structural and functional materials. The phototactic microalgae (Prophyridium pupureum) will be inoculated in a specially designed nutrient gel, which allows the photostimulated movement through secretion of exopolysaccharides. A custom-designed optical system will be developed to project a transmission hologram into the microalgae inoculated nutrient gel. The holographically patterned microalgae templates will be converted into the corresponding inorganic hybrid functional materials using “soft” chemical sol-gel routes. This contactless patterning with light (hologram) exploiting the phototactic properties of specific microalgae represents a novel and particularly versatile approach for the fabrication of multiscale bioorganic/ inorganic hybrid materials. The realisable multiscale patterning method via holographic patterning of microorganisms in combination with inorganic phase formation has an enormous potential to be a novel key technology for the fabrication of complex, structured materials.