Energy Manipulating Biomaterials by R5 Silicates, Melanins, and Magnetosomes

Technology

The inventors have developed novel methods for synthesizing complex silica-based materials, including silica embedded with melanin and silica-based nanostructures and magnetosomes. To generate silica-embedded with melanin, the inventors utilize the R5 peptide, derived from diatoms, to synthesize melanin. This R5-melanin is then used to precipitate silica, resulting in melanin-embedded silica that can be incorporated in hydrogel polymers, bioplastics, fuel cells, and other materials for a wide variety of applications. Importantly, this technology synthesizes silica 90% faster than traditional methods and occurs at ambient temperatures in aqueous conditions.

To form silica-based nanostructures or magnetosomes, the R5 peptide can be fused to fragments of Mms6, an iron-binding protein, or MamC, a magnetosome surface protein. R5-Mms6 precipitates iron oxide to form nanoparticles, which acquire a silica coating when incubated with silicic acid, thereby creating silica-coated magnetic particles. Recombinant expression of R5-MamC in Magnetospirillum magneticum results in formation of R5-coated magnetosomes, which can also precipitate a surface coating layer of silica. These materials can be microwave absorption and electromagnetic interference shielding, for example, in coatings on military stealth vehicles.

Problem Addressed

Functional nanostructured materials are of increasing demand in areas including biomedicine, electronics, and energy. In particular, silica-based nanostructured materials have potential to function in a wide variety of applications, ranging from medical devices to plastics to energy storage systems. However, traditional methods of synthesizing these materials have significant time and energy constraints, often requiring overnight reactions, high temperatures, or harsh chemical conditions. Therefore, there remains a need to develop fast and effective methods of synthesizing silica-based nanostructured materials to expand their commercial potential. 

Advantages

• 90% faster than existing methods used to synthesize silica-based materials
• No energy constraints - synthesis of silica-based structures achieved at ambient temperatures