Wired in: Simulating how electrons move through nanowires

trueBiochemistry,College of Natural Science,Plant Research Laboratory10/25/2023Wired in: Simulating how electrons move through nanowires

The movement of electrons across wires is what allows us to use electricity every day. Biological nanowires—microscopic wires made of proteins—have caught researchers’ attention for their ability to carry electrons over long distances. In a recent study published in the journal Small by the Josh Vermaas lab in the Michigan State University-Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, researchers expand our understanding of biological nanowires through the use of computer simulations. Understanding how these nanowires can be constructed to allow for more electron flow is crucial to future endeavors using them to connect biological processes to conventional electronics.

Michigan State University researchers are studying biological nanowires—microscopic wires made of proteins—that have caught attention for their ability to carry electrons over long distances.
The team created simulations of crystals, where they pointed a light source at a nanocrystal made up of proteins and calculated how fast excited electrons traveled through it.
When variables other than temperature were manipulated, the researchers started to see some interesting action from the electrons’ hops within the nanowire.
Understanding how biological nanowires can be constructed to allow for more electron flow is crucial to future endeavors using them to connect biological processes to conventional electronics.

Kara Headley

Nano wiresPRLbiochemistry and molecular biologybiological nanowireselectron transportemerging technologies