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Published on: April 12, 2018
Electrostatic control of lipid bilayer self-spreading using a nanogap gate on a solid support
Yoshiaki Kashimura1, Kazuaki Furukawa, Keiichi Torimitsu
1NTT Basic Research Laboratories, NTT Corporation, Atsugi 243-0198, Japan. kasimura@nttbrl.jp
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|April 7, 2011
Summary
Researchers control self-spreading lipid bilayers using electric fields. An electrostatic trapping model explains this, validated by nanogap width and ion concentration, enabling precise control for nanobio devices.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Nanotechnology
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Supported lipid bilayers are crucial for biomimetic systems.
- Controlling their formation and behavior is essential for nanobio device development.
- Existing methods for controlling lipid bilayer spreading are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the temporal and spatial control of supported lipid bilayer self-spreading.
- To propose and validate a physical model for this controlled spreading.
- To establish a novel method for lipid bilayer formation in nanobio applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing nanogap electrodes to apply time-switched electric fields.
- Fabricating supported lipid bilayers on these electrodes.
- Investigating the influence of nanogap width and electrolyte ionic concentration on spreading dynamics.
Main Results:
- Achieved controlled self-spreading of supported lipid bilayers via electric field switching.
- Proposed an electrostatic trapping model involving electric double layers to explain the phenomenon.
- Validated the model through experimental dependence on nanogap width and ionic concentration.
Conclusions:
- Electric field temporal switching offers precise control over lipid bilayer self-spreading.
- The electrostatic trapping model accurately describes the observed spreading behavior.
- This technique provides a powerful tool for directed lipid bilayer formation in nanobio devices.
