Bacteria produced- graphene could make your computer 1000 times faster

Researcher are always at the upfront in creating a new and more efficient computers, medical devices and other high speed electronic gadgets. Hence to provide this the researcher are digging at nanomaterials- materials at the nanoscale of atoms or molecules that showcase unique properties.

One such material is Graphene—a flake of carbon as thin as a single layer of atoms which is proving to be a revolutionary nanomaterial due to its potential in easily conducting electricity as well as its extraordinary mechanical strength and flexibility. However, a major hinderance is producing it at a bulk level. To produce graphene in large quantities requires lots of energy and involves exposure to toxic chemicals, such as hydrazine, which damages the nervous system.

Researchers from the University of Rochester and the Netherlands’ Delft University of Technology are working to change this procedure and replace it with novel technique. Hence the bacteria comes into play. To mass produce graphene scientists have mixed oxidized graphite with bacteria. Their method is cost-efficient, time-efficient, and it does not require to deal with harsh chemicals.

Current method to produce Graphene 

Initially their method was using sticky tape to yield graphene but it resulted in just  small amounts.

Currently it is done by chemical vapor deposition, or by shredding graphite into graphene oxide then chemically reducing it. Since both these methods require to deal with harsh chemicals scientists are finding an alternate to these methods.

RESEARCHER’S STATEMENT

“For real applications you need large amounts, producing these bulk amounts is challenging and typically results in graphene that is thicker and less pure. This is where our work came in.”

 

-Anne S. Meyer, an associate professor of biology at the University of Rochester

Bacteria produced – graphene Method

The scientists hired  Shewanella oneidensis bacteria, which has a natural inbuilt mechanism to remove oxygen-based molecules from chemicals such as metal oxides. In order to produce large amount of graphene, meyer and her colleagues started with a vial of graphite. later exfoliated the graphite to get graphene oxide. The team fed these bacteria with graphene oxide and kept the  precursor materials sit overnight, during which time the bacteria reduced the Graphene oxide to a graphene material.

 

The reduced material Graphene oxide is very ideal material because of its lightweight and very conductive nature, but it basically retains a small number of oxygen groups that can be used to bind to the molecules of interest.

“When biological molecules bind to the device, they change the conductance of the surface, sending a signal that the molecule is present, to make a good FET biosensor you want a material that is highly conductive but can also be modified to bind to specific molecules.” 

-Anne S. Meyer, an associate professor of biology at the University of Rochester

Another major application of bacteria produced-graphene material could be as a conductive inks, which could enhance the speed and efficiency of computer keyboards, circuit boards, or small wires such as those used to defrost car windshields. Using conductive inks is an “easier, more economical way to produce electrical circuits, compared to traditional techniques,” Meyer says. 

“Our bacterially produced graphene material will lead to far better suitability for product development. We were even able to develop a technique of ‘bacterial lithography’ to create graphene materials that were only conductive on one side, which can lead to the development of new, advanced nanocomposite materials.”

-Anne S. Meyer, an associate professor of biology at the University of Rochester

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