Energy Conversion in Protocells with Natural Nanoconductors

While much nanotechnology leverages solid-state devices, here we present the analysis of designs for hybrid organic-inorganic biomimetic devices, “protocells,” based on assemblies of natural ion channels and ion pumps, “nanoconductors,” incorporated into synthetic supported lipid bilayer membranes....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jian Xu, T. Kyle Vanderlick, David A. LaVan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:International Journal of Photoenergy
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/425735
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849304807138918400
author Jian Xu
T. Kyle Vanderlick
David A. LaVan
author_facet Jian Xu
T. Kyle Vanderlick
David A. LaVan
author_sort Jian Xu
collection DOAJ
description While much nanotechnology leverages solid-state devices, here we present the analysis of designs for hybrid organic-inorganic biomimetic devices, “protocells,” based on assemblies of natural ion channels and ion pumps, “nanoconductors,” incorporated into synthetic supported lipid bilayer membranes. These protocells mimic the energy conversion scheme of natural cells and are able to directly output electricity. The electrogenic mechanisms have been analyzed and designs were optimized using numerical models. The parameters that affect the energy conversion are quantified, and limits for device performance have been found using numerical optimization. The electrogenic performance is compared to conventional and emerging technologies and plotted on Ragone charts to allow direct comparisons. The protocell technologies summarized here may be of use for energy conversion where large-scale ion concentration gradients are available (such as the intersection of fresh and salt water sources) or small-scale devices where low power density would be acceptable.
format Article
id doaj-art-3c8ebddc9f3c4adbbfad728a09249a36
institution Kabale University
issn 1110-662X
1687-529X
language English
publishDate 2012-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series International Journal of Photoenergy
spelling doaj-art-3c8ebddc9f3c4adbbfad728a09249a362025-08-20T03:55:37ZengWileyInternational Journal of Photoenergy1110-662X1687-529X2012-01-01201210.1155/2012/425735425735Energy Conversion in Protocells with Natural NanoconductorsJian Xu0T. Kyle Vanderlick1David A. LaVan2School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USASchool of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USAMaterial Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USAWhile much nanotechnology leverages solid-state devices, here we present the analysis of designs for hybrid organic-inorganic biomimetic devices, “protocells,” based on assemblies of natural ion channels and ion pumps, “nanoconductors,” incorporated into synthetic supported lipid bilayer membranes. These protocells mimic the energy conversion scheme of natural cells and are able to directly output electricity. The electrogenic mechanisms have been analyzed and designs were optimized using numerical models. The parameters that affect the energy conversion are quantified, and limits for device performance have been found using numerical optimization. The electrogenic performance is compared to conventional and emerging technologies and plotted on Ragone charts to allow direct comparisons. The protocell technologies summarized here may be of use for energy conversion where large-scale ion concentration gradients are available (such as the intersection of fresh and salt water sources) or small-scale devices where low power density would be acceptable.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/425735
spellingShingle Jian Xu
T. Kyle Vanderlick
David A. LaVan
Energy Conversion in Protocells with Natural Nanoconductors
International Journal of Photoenergy
title Energy Conversion in Protocells with Natural Nanoconductors
title_full Energy Conversion in Protocells with Natural Nanoconductors
title_fullStr Energy Conversion in Protocells with Natural Nanoconductors
title_full_unstemmed Energy Conversion in Protocells with Natural Nanoconductors
title_short Energy Conversion in Protocells with Natural Nanoconductors
title_sort energy conversion in protocells with natural nanoconductors
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/425735
work_keys_str_mv AT jianxu energyconversioninprotocellswithnaturalnanoconductors
AT tkylevanderlick energyconversioninprotocellswithnaturalnanoconductors
AT davidalavan energyconversioninprotocellswithnaturalnanoconductors