Nikolay Dyatlov: Bioika News

Nikolai Dyatlov Sea sponge. Source: http: //arstechnica.com

Simultaneously with the development of modern materials, scientists do not cease to explore the materials given to us by nature itself. Often the solution to modern problems was invented by evolution millions of years ago. Among the last “muses”, who brought scientists to important discoveries, there are many representatives of the water element.

Sponges for electronics

Scientists have applied genetic engineering methods. To create proteins that can be used in the production of electronics: to obtain silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide, which are actively used in company chips and solar panels.

Some types of sea sponge produce proteins responsible for creating silicon. Traditional genetic engineering instills bacteria of an alien gene responsible for the production of a particular protein and uses the bacterium as a “factory” for the production of this protein. In the case of a sea sponge, her protein will kill an experimental bacterium. Scientists from the University of California tried to solve this problem by creating an artificial cell, which consists of a microscopic plastic grain - a nucleus - and an oil ball as a cell membrane.

Scientists have attached a particle of DNA to each of the nuclei, which is responsible for the production of silicatein, and this DNA was obtained using random crossing the DNA of two other silicateines. Then these nuclei were lowered with a mixture of bacterial proteins, which should turn DNA into a skeleton, and covered with a thin layer of oil, which, like a cell membrane, “tied” the enzymes to the nucleus. After that, enzymes began to create silicatein, which accumulates on the plastic core covered with antibodies.

At the next stage, scientists destroyed the membrane, lowered the cells into a solution with silicon or titanium compounds, and again covered with oil. During this procedure, silicatein proteins are collected on the nucleus of silicon oxide (or titanium oxide).

After that, artificial selection was carried out. First, the nuclei were sorted by size, taking away those from which the largest layer of the mineral gathered on the surface, and then subjected them to mechanical exposure and filtered those that after that turned out to be damaged. Thus, the most effective genes for the production of the mineral were selected.

From the cell selection, scientists randomly selected 30, and sequenced their DNA. They found both genes identical to the initial silicatens, and new ones, completely different from the original ones. With the help of these new genes, scientists again synthesized silicatein and studied its properties. While ordinary silicatein produces simply accumulations of silicon particles, new proteins produced dispersed nanoparticles with the content of metals oxides. There was even a protein-it was called silicatein X1-which produced layers of silicon-white fibers.

Thus,

Artificially directed evolution can theoretically lead to effective results that are not detected in nature.

In fact, they artificially received more effective (from the point of view of a person) than the original, protein-producer of silicon oxide.

Of course, the directed evolution is not limited only by silicatein-for example, some types of sea sponges produce fiberglass, which could be used in fiber-white networks, and certain bacteria can produce nano-part.

Genetic engineering can allow the creation of biological plants for the production of elements necessary for industry. Such factories would be environmentally friendly, non -waste and self -supporting.

Now the task of scientists is to learn how to control the process of directed evolution in such a way as to receive proteins with given properties,

For example, such that high conductivity oxides are produced. The authors of the project are sure that their development will help "put the same evolutionary processes that created the sea shells and the skeleton to the service of man."

The secret of strength

Sponges are not the only marine animal inspiring scientists on the manufacture of new materials. Another group of chemical engineers from the University of California studied the unique properties of luxurious cancer (Peacock Mantis Shrimp). This crustacean has powerful claws with which it breaks the shells of crabs, shrimp and shells of mollusks, and sometimes even the walls of aquariums. At first glance, their claws are similar to ordinary chitin, but they withstand thousands of strokes in a very short amount of time without any damage to the structure, while very easy.

Using an electron microscope, x -ray diffractometry, micromechanical testing and computer micromechanical modeling, scientists have found that

The claws owe their strength to the three -layer structure.

The strokeing surface of the claw consists of extremely dense hydroxyapatitis. Its compression strength is higher than that of specialized ceramics such as zirconium or silicon carbide. Under it is a more supposed layer of gelicoid spiral chitin fibers surrounded by amorphous mineral mass. The outer part of the claw consists of another chitin layer, this time groove, in which the chitin fibers are located parallel to each other. All together gives an unrivaled strength to the clash.

Modern composite materials use a similar principle, but still rarely withstand more than a few strong strokes, after which their internal structure is destroyed. If you take as an example how nature solved this problem, then you can create light and strong military armor, casing for cars and aircraft, tools, and sports equipment.

Robot clip

Another aquatic animal, inspired by material scholars-a bug-main. He slides through the water thanks to the smallest grooves on his paws, which make them hydrophobic.

Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences decided that in this way it is possible to solve the problem of oleophobic materials, that is, materials repulsing fats and oils. Unfortunately, most oleophobic coatings stop working if water gets on them.

Scientists have made a small “robot”, very similar to a water meter. In order to give it to the copper “paws” of the nano-texture, resembling the texture of the paws of the water meter, they were loaded into the hydrate of ammonia, and as a result of a chemical reaction, the smallest nano-“petals” of copper oxide were formed. Thanks to such oxidation, the copper wire showed the angle of touch with a drop of oil at 164 degrees, under water, that is, very high oleophobic properties that does not prevent the immersion of the material into water.

Scientists are sure that a similar method will work with other metals, and even with polymers, if you cover them with metals oxides. Such an oleophobic coating can find a lot of applications - from the frontal glasses of cars that will not stick broken flies, to robots that can clean oil spills in the sea and coating of the bottoms of ships so that shells do not stick to them.