Cited research: Nano. Lett. doi:10.1021/nl100499x (2010)

A carbon nanotube transistor can be controlled by a protein complex that is powered by the cellular energy source ATP.

The device (pictured), developed by Aleksandr Noy at the University of California, Merced, and his colleagues, uses a carbon nanotube to bridge two metal electrodes. The nanotube is coated by a lipid bilayer. Embedded in that layer is the ATP-powered pump, which is widespread in cells and mediates the exchange of sodium and potassium ions across membranes. The central part of the carbon nanotube is exposed to an ATP solution.

When the device is switched on, the pump pushes ions across the lipid membrane, changing the conductance of the carbon nanotube and boosting the transistor's current output by up to 40%. Applications could include biological nanoelectronic devices. K.S.

Credit: AM. CHEM. SOC.