Communications of the ACM
Roll Up Your Screen and Stow It Away?
A new material identified by researchers at Tel Aviv University could be used to produce thin, transparent, flexible screens.
Credit: American Friends of Tel Aviv University
A structure based on a synthetic hybrid molecule of peptides and DNA could be used to produce thin, transparent, flexible screens, according to researchers at Tel Aviv University.
The team designed and synthesized different peptide nucleic acid sequences, and then tried to build nano-metric architectures with them. Among the discoveries, the structures were found to emit light in every color, and light emission was observed also in response to electric voltage, making it a perfect candidate for opto-electronic devices such as display screens.
The research harnesses bio-nanotechnology to emit a full range of colors in one pliable pixel layer, compared to several rigid layers that make up the screens of existing electronic devices. The researchers say their findings could lead to the development of convenient portable devices that can be easily rolled up and put away.
They note the material is light, organic, and environmentally friendly. Moreover, the use of only one layer could help minimize production costs and lead to lower prices for consumers.
"Once we discovered the DNA-like organization, we tested the ability of the structures to bind to DNA-specific fluorescent dyes," says Tel Aviv University's Or Berger. "To our surprise, the control sample, with no added dye, emitted the same fluorescence as the variable. This proved that the organic structure is itself naturally fluorescent."
From American Friends of Tel Aviv University
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