Biomimetic membranes
Biological membrane proteins are incorporated into a co-polymer matrix to produce membranes with a wide variety of functionalities. In one form of the invention, a composite membrane incorporates two different proteins which cooperate to produce electricity from light. In another form, water transport proteins are embedded in a membrane to enable water purification.
1. A biomimetic membrane, comprising:
a tri-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 biomimetic 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 impermeable to water, and wherein said membrane proteins are selected to permit passage of water molecules under pressure.
7. The membrane of claim 6 , 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.
8. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein said membrane proteins are genetically engineered proteins.
9. The membrane of claim 8 , wherein two different membrane proteins are incorporated into said matrix.
10. The membrane of claim 9 , wherein said membrane proteins are energy converting proteins.
11. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein said matrix is incorporated in a thin fabric.
12. The membrane of claim 11 , wherein said membrane proteins include bacteriorodopsin and cytochrome oxydase embedded in said matrix for converting optical energy to electrical energy.
13. The membrane of claim 12 , further including first and second electrodes on opposite surfaces of said fabric for receiving said electrical energy.
14. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein said matrix receives oriented bacteriorodopsin and cytochrome oxidase to produce a biosolar cell.
15. The membrane of claim 14 , further including electrodes on opposite sides of said matrix.
16. The membrane of claim 14 , wherein said matrix is a biocompatible polymer impermeable to protons.
17. A hybrid organic/inorganic power source, comprising:
a tri-block copolymer matrix; and
first and second different membrane proteins embedded in said matrix.
18. The power source of claim 17 , further including a thin fabric material, said matrix being embedded in said fabric.
19. The power source of claim 18 , wherein said membrane proteins are natural biological proteins.
20. The power source of claim 19 , wherein said proteins comprise bacteriorodopsin and cytochrome oxidase for converting light energy into electrical energy.
21. The power source of claim 20 , further including electrodes on opposed surfaces of said fabric for receiving said electrical energy.
22. A method of fabricating a biological membrane, comprising:
fabricating a tri-block copolymer matrix; and
inserting in said matrix natural or genetically engineered membrane proteins.
23. The method of claim 22 , further including orienting said membrane proteins in said matrix.
24. The method of claim 22 , further including selecting said proteins to produce a corresponding membrane functionality.
25. The method of claim 22 , further including inserting in said matrix two different membrane proteins.
26. The method of claim 25 , further including exposing said matrix to light to produce electrical energy across said matrix.