Communications of the ACM
Biological Connections in Microelectronics
A 3-D visualization of an actin network assembled from a micro-surface shaped like the CEA logo.
Credit: R. Galland/CEA
Researchers from the CEA, CNRS, Joseph Fourier University, and Inra have developed a potential solution for miniaturizing electronic components based on basic cell processes.
The microelectronics industry is facing the challenge of a physical barrier to increasing the integration density of components. However, the researchers have proposed the idea of using the self-assemblage properties of biological components to enable electronic components to construct themselves.
The team studied the filament networks that constitute the cell skeleton, which interact to form braids, bundles, layers, and columns whose architecture and mechanical properties regulate and control cell shape. The filaments are primarily composed of actin.
The researchers have developed a method for controlling the self-assembly of actin filaments in three dimensions between two glass plates. The plates were positioned 30 microns apart and microstructured with a laser beam. The researchers then injected a solution containing actin monomers between the two surfaces, which polymerized due to the microstructure geometry. Actin columns in controlled shapes and sizes thus self-configured from the two surfaces and joined to establish connections.
The researchers say their results suggest the technique may have industrial applications.
From The CEA
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