Nanotube-producing Bacteria Show Manufacturing Promise

Posted on December 8, 2007  Comments (2)

Genus Shewanella

Nanotube-producing Bacteria Show Manufacturing Promise:

The photoactive arsenic-sulfide nanotubes produced by the bacteria behave as metals with electrical and photoconductive properties. The researchers report that these properties may also provide novel functionality for the next generation of semiconductors in nano- and opto-electronic devices.

In a process that is not yet fully understood, the Shewanella bacterium secretes polysacarides that seem to produce the template for the arsenic sulfide nanotubes, Myung explained. The practical significance of this technique would be much greater if a bacterial species were identified that could produce nanotubes of cadmium sulfide or other superior semiconductor materials, he added.

“This is just a first step that points the way to future investigation,” he said. “Each species of Shewanella might have individual implications for manufacturing properties.”

Related: Self-assembling Nanotechnology in Chip ManufacturingBacteria Engineered to Sprout Conducting NanowiresUsing Bacteria to Carry Nanoparticles Into CellsNanotechnology Breakthroughs for Computer ChipsNanotechnology Research

2 Responses to “Nanotube-producing Bacteria Show Manufacturing Promise”

  1. CuriousCat Science » Harnessing Light to Drive Nanomachines
    December 4th, 2008 @ 6:45 pm

    A team led by researchers has shown that the force of light indeed can be harnessed to drive machines – when the process is scaled to nano-proportions…

  2. andy
    December 5th, 2008 @ 5:30 am

    is it possible to control the structures produced by such bacteria or am I missing the point?

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