Apparatus and method for molecular separation, purification, and sensing

摘要

Described are devices and methods for forming one or more nanomembranes including electroactive nanomembranes within a nanowell or nanotube, or combinations thereof, in a support material. Nanopores/nanochannels can be formed by the electroactive nanomembrane within corresponding nanowells. The electroactive nanomembrane is capable of controllably altering a dimension, a composition, and/or a variety of properties in response to electrical stimuli. Various embodiments also include devices/systems and methods for using the nanomembrane-containing devices for molecular separation, purification, sensing, etc.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
providing a nanochannel within a support material, wherein the nanochannel comprises one or more sidewall electrodes; disposing a nanomembrane inside the nanochannel, wherein the nanomembrane encircles a nanopore, has a hydrophobic surface, and is in direct contact with at least a portion of one sidewall electrode of the nanochannel; tuning a size of the nanopore by tuning dimensionality of the nanomembrane with an electrical stimulus on the nanomembrane; tethering a lipid bilayer on the hydrophobic surface, the lipid bilayer spanning the nanopore; disposing a protein nanopore into the lipid bilayer; wherein the size of the nanopore is tuned such that the lipid bilayer spanning the nanopore only accommodates a single protein nanopore.