National Center for Design of
Biomimetic Nanoconductors

• Simplified:
• Overview

Science Simplified

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The ion channels (or nanoconductors) within every cell membrane play important roles including 1) generation of electrical power, 2) electrical and electrochemical signaling, 3) generation of osmotic pressures and flows, and 4) energy transduction. A greater understanding of these channels and their emergent properties will ultimately lead to the ability to design biomimetic nanoconductors and devices utilizing nanoconductors.

The possible uses of these man-made nanoconductors mirror the naturally occurring uses and functions, and hold promise in their potential miniaturizability, biocompatibility, efficiency, and bio-drivability.

The initial design target of the Center will be the design of a biobattery to power implantable devices. Specifically, we will work to provide the biobattery to power a retinal implant that Mark Humayun of USC is developing. Beyond the artificial retina is a broad range of neural and other prostheses that could be powered in this way.

Although not quite ready, this "simplified" space will have multiple pages with more explanation of the research of the Center, a glossary of scientific terms, putting the research into historical and scientific context, frequently asked questions, and other resources.

The National Center for Design of Biomimetic Nanoconductors is funded by Grant Number PHS 2 PN2 EY016570B from the National Institutes of Health through the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research and is based at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Partner institutions include Yale University, University of Southern California, University of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Sandia National Laboratories, Argonne National Laboratory, Oxford University, Wabash College, University of California, Davis, nanoHUB at Purdue University, and the University of New Mexico.