Claims
- 1. A biomimetic membrane, comprising:
a block copolymer matrix simulating a natural biological membrane and natural protein environment; and membrane proteins incorporated into said matrix to form a membrane/protein composite.
- 2. The membrane of claim 1, wherein the membrane/protein composite composes a device which has the function of the incorporated membrane proteins.
- 3. The membrane of claim 2, wherein the protein functions include valves, channels, sensors, detectors, pumps, and energy transducers.
- 4. The membrane of claim 1, wherein said membrane proteins are selected to transport only water molecules, whereby said biolmimetic membrane is a water filter.
- 5. The membrane of claim 4, wherein said membrane proteins are selected from the aquaporin family of proteins.
- 6. The membrane of claim 5, wherein said matrix is formed from tri-block copolymer.
- 7. The membrane of claim 5, wherein said matrix is impermeable to water, and wherein said membrane proteins are selected to permit passage of water molecules under pressure.
- 8. The membrane of claim 7, wherein said matrix is supported in a water purification device to separate said device into first and second chambers, said membrane proteins permitting only water to flow between said chambers.
- 9. The membrane of claim 8, wherein said membrane proteins are aquaporins.
- 10. The membrane of claim 9, wherein said matrix is a biocompatible polymer selected from the group including poly (vinyl alcohol), poly (acrylamide) and sol-gels.
- 11. The membrane of claim 1, wherein said membrane proteins are natural biological proteins.
- 12. The membrane of claim 11, wherein two different membrane proteins are incorporated into said matrix.
- 13. The membrane of claim 12, wherein said membrane proteins are energy converting proteins.
- 14. The membrane of claim 1, wherein said matrix is incorporated in a thin fabric.
- 15. The membrane of claim 14, wherein said membrane proteins include bacteriorodopsin and cytochrome oxydase embedded in said matrix for converting optical energy to electrical energy.
- 16. The membrane of claim 15, wherein said matrix is a biocompatible polymer selected from the group including poly (vinyl alcohol), poly (acrylamide) and sol-gels.
- 17. The membrane of claim 15, further including first and second electrodes on opposite surfaces of said fabric for receiving said electrical energy.
- 18. The membrane of claim 1, wherein said matrix receives oriented bacteriorodopsin and cytochrome oxidase to produce a biosolar cell.
- 19. The membrane of claim 18, further including electrodes on opposite sides of said matrix.
- 20. The membrane of claim 18, wherein said matrix is a biocompatible polymer impermeable to protons.
- 21. A hybrid organic/inorganic power source, comprising:
a copolymer matrix; and first and second different membrane proteins embedded in said matrix.
- 22. The power source of claim 21, further including a thin fabric material, said matrix being embedded in said fabric.
- 23. The power source of claim 22, wherein said membrane proteins are natural biological proteins.
- 24. The power source of claim 23, wherein said proteins comprise bacteriorodopsin and cytochrome oxidase for converting light energy into electrical energy.
- 25. The power source of claim 24, further including electrodes on opposed surfaces of said fabric for receiving said electrical energy.
- 26. A method of fabricating a biological membrane, comprising:
fabricating a block copolymer matrix; and inserting in said matrix natural or genetically engineered membrane proteins.
- 27. The method of claim 26, further including orienting said membrane proteins in said matrix.
- 28. The method of claim 26, further including selecting said proteins to produce a corresponding membrane functionality.
- 29. The method of claim 26, further including inserting in said matrix two different membrane proteins.
- 30. The method of claim 29, further including exposing said matrix to light to produce electrical energy across said matrix.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/398,784, filed Jul. 29, 2002, and Provisional Application No. 60/438,784, filed Jan. 9, 2003, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60398784 |
Jul 2002 |
US |
|
60438784 |
Jan 2003 |
US |