Method and apparatus for use of thermally switching proteins in sensing and detecting devices
US7193037B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 18, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/549
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for detecting infrared radiation is provided which comprises a temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein such as TlpA, CC1, collagen or myosin, incorporated into an electrically conductive film or gel deposited onto an electrically conductive medium such as an electrode, means for recording changes in conductivity or resistance of the conductive film or gel caused by the presence of infrared radiation and the effect of the infrared radiation on the thermal-sensing protein, and means to analyze the changes in conductivity or resistance in the conductive film caused by the infrared radiation so as to determine if infrared radiation is present. By virtue of the present invention, a “biomimetic” infrared sensor is provided which can integrate a recombinantly produced thermally sensitive protein in a conductive polymer matrix, such as a film or gel, so as to provide for the first time a low-cost, lightweight, conformable, and even possibly disposable, infrared detecting device having high sensitivity and excellent dynamic range.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.