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Related Concept Videos

Band Theory02:35

Band Theory

When two or more atoms come together to form a molecule, their atomic orbitals combine and molecular orbitals of distinct energies result. In a solid, there are a large number of atoms, and therefore a large number of atomic orbitals that may be combined into molecular orbitals. These groups of molecular orbitals are so closely placed together to form continuous regions of energies, known as the bands.
The energy difference between these bands is known as the band gap.
Conductor, Semiconductor,...
Network Covalent Solids02:18

Network Covalent Solids

Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
Molecular and Ionic Solids02:54

Molecular and Ionic Solids

Crystalline solids are divided into four types: molecular, ionic, metallic, and covalent network based on the type of constituent units and their interparticle interactions.
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
Energy Bands in Solids01:01

Energy Bands in Solids

Isolated atoms have discrete energy levels that are well described by the Bohr model. And, it quantifies the energy of an electron in a hydrogen atom as En. Higher quantum numbers 'n' yield less negative, closer electron energy levels.
 Band Formation:
When atoms are brought close together, as in a solid, these discrete energy levels begin to split due to the overlap of electron orbitals from adjacent atoms. This split occurs because of the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two...
Metallic Solids02:37

Metallic Solids

Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...
Semiconductors01:22

Semiconductors

There is variation in the electrical conductivity of materials - metals, semiconductors, and insulators that are showcased with the help of the energy band diagrams.
Metals such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), or lead (Pb) have low resistivity and feature conduction bands that are either not fully occupied or overlap with the valence band, making a bandgap non-existent. This allows electrons in the highest energy levels of the valence band to easily transition to the conduction band upon gaining...

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Designing Silk-silk Protein Alloy Materials for Biomedical Applications
11:14

Designing Silk-silk Protein Alloy Materials for Biomedical Applications

Published on: August 13, 2014

Proteins as solid-state electronic conductors.

Izhar Ron1, Israel Pecht, Mordechai Sheves

  • 1Materials & Interfaces, Immunology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 76100.

Accounts of Chemical Research
|March 25, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Dry proteins exhibit significant electronic conductivity, comparable to conjugated molecules. This finding suggests proteins can function as solid-state electronic conductors, paving the way for bioinspired electronic devices.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Proteins facilitate electron transfer in solution.
  • The solid-state conductivity of dry proteins remains largely unexplored.
  • Understanding protein conductivity is key for bioinspired electronics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the solid-state electronic conductivity of dry proteins.
  • To compare macroscopic and nanoscopic conductivity measurements.
  • To assess the potential of proteins as electronic conductors in devices.

Main Methods:

  • Survey and analysis of macroscopic and nanoscopic solid-state conductivity measurements of proteins.
  • Comparison of protein conductivity with saturated molecules and conjugated systems.
  • Review of protein structure-conductivity relationships.

Main Results:

  • Dry proteins conduct significantly higher currents than saturated molecules of similar thickness.
  • Proteins with known electrical activity show conductivity comparable to molecular wires.
  • Protein structural features inherently facilitate electronic conductivity.

Conclusions:

  • Proteins can function as solid-state electronic conductors, not just sensing or photoactive elements.
  • Protein conductivity opens avenues for bioinspired electronic devices and novel research approaches.
  • Further research into structure-conductivity relationships could unlock new applications.