(231f) A Living Transistor of Quasi-1D Metal Nanoparticle Arrays As a Platform to Study Cellular Activity

Single cell analysis is critical to develop our understanding of disease progression and therapy. A network of one dimensional necklaces of Au nanoparticle is designed to function as an electrochemical transistor in water. The gain of the transistor is shown to be well over an order of magnitude better than equivalent device made from graphene and carbon nanotubes. Low temperature studies at 4K reveal the strong Coulomb blockade effect that affects the room temperature behavior in terms of multiple tunnel junction and percolation path topology. The electronic properties of the network array is investigated in terms of a hierarchical morphology of the network where the conduction paths significantly alter as a function of applied bias. The topology of the network array is controlled by using two independent processes: (a) directed self-assembly in solution, followed by (b) self-limiting deposition at high centrifugal force. A fabrication method is developed to allow operation in aqueous media with robust interface with living cells. As the cell is stimulated with toxins and nutrients, the membrane potential of the cell modulates to alter the conductivity of the array. The membrane potential modulation is quantified by measuring the characteristics of the living transistor.