AVS 50th International Symposium
    Homeland Security Topical Conference Thursday Sessions
       Session HS-ThM

Invited Paper HS-ThM8
Biocatalytic Nanocomposites as Self-Cleaning Surface Coatings

Thursday, November 6, 2003, 10:40 am, Room 309

Session: Detection of Biological Agents and Self-Cleaning of Contaminated Surfaces
Presenter: J.S. Dordick, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Correspondent: Click to Email
The interface of biology and materials science has led to the development of new materials, with unique structural and functional properties, and new process technologies complete with the ability to produce, from "bottoms up", a wide range of biomimetic structures. These materials and their designs have broad application as catalysts, sensors, and devices for use in synthesis, cell and tissue engineering, bioanalysis and screening, and nanoelectronics. We have focused on the generation of nanostructures that are functionalized with and in some cases constructed from biological molecules, complete with tailored selectivities and biocatalytic activities at the molecular and nanoscales.@footnote 1,2@ In one example, we have incorporated enzymes attached to carbon nanotubes and further embedded into polymeric films, coatings, and paints to form biocatalytically active surfaces. These materials are capable of degrading proteins, fats, polysaccharides, and other organic and biological molecules. Furthermore, in some cases, these materials can prevent the microbial fouling often associated with surface coatings, and this may have significant impact in medical devices and in battlefield and homeland defense. This presentation will be focused on the preparation, characterization, and use of different enzyme-nanomaterial-polymer composites and potential broad-based applications arising from this technology. @FootnoteText@ @footnote 1@K. Rege, N.R. Raravikar, D.-Y. Kim, L. S. Schadler, P.M. Ajayan, and J.S. Dordick (2003), "Enzyme-Polymer-Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites as Biocatalytic Films", Nano Letters (submitted).@footnote 2@ P. Wang, M. V. Sergeeva, L. Lim, and J. S. Dordick (1997), "Biocatalytic Plastics as Active and Stable Materials for Biotransformations", Nature: Biotechnology 15, 789-793.