Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The flow of protons is vital in biology, driving natural processes like the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (1).Micro-scale fluctuations in pH can provide insight into neural activity and regulate cellular activity (3, 4), and antibiotics like gramicidin destroy cells by conducting protons across a cell membrane (2).However, modern electron-based devices are forced to use only the subset of biochemical reactions that can be controlled by electron motion.I have researched a broad variety of protonic systems, with the aim of enabling a direct interface between protons and electrons.Throughout, I utilize palladium hydride (PdH) as a protonelectron transducer.In this work, I present my efforts to measure and control the flow of protons.I have developed a protonic toolset, with devices ranging from complementary transistors to depletion-based memory devices.In addition, I present new understandings of the PdH-material interface, and characterize a novel protonic material.In addition, I describe initial efforts to create artificial carbon nanotube based protonic devices.These results represent new opportunities for the measurement and control of protons in bioelectronics.
Author: Erik E. Josberger
Language: English
Subfield: Analytical Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2564004576