(111e) Nanostructured Self-Assembled Reversible and Directional Bio-Molecular Templates for Nanotechnology Interconnects

In this work we present our research in biorecognition for development of Reversible Bio-Nanointerconnects. Microtubules (MTs) are self-assembled subcellular proteinaceous filaments with nanoscale diameters and micrometer scale lengths. MTs are biopolymers assembled from two, related protein monomers; a and b tubulin. The aspect ratio of MT, the reversibility of their assembly and ability to be metallized make them excellent candidates to serve as templates for the fabrication of nanowires. Our work focuses on developing technology for bottom-up approaches to nano-electronics manufacturing inspired by biological processes. We will present as a first step for the fabrication of nanoscale interconnects in microelectronic devices the molecular assembly for the functionalization with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of a gold surface with a gamma-tubulin as a biospecific linker for MTs. Our in situ approach to manufacturing a MT interconnection on a silicon wafer using biomolecular templates consists of (a) a starting electrode functionalized with a derivatized MT nucleating complex (cap) via specific affinity recognition ligands, (b) controlled growth of MTs from the starting electrodes toward a target electrode, (c) binding of the MT plus end to capping agent bound to the target electrode via specific ligands, and (d) disassembly of uncapped MTs and subsequent metallization of interconnecting protein template