Yale University

The Penn State Research Foundation

Carnegie Mellon University

Meagan Mauter

Manish Kumar

Menachem Elimelech

Chinedum Osuji

The disclosure describes a method of forming highly ordered membrane protein crystals. The forming process is done in the presence of a magnetic field to exploit the diamagnetic anisotropy of the membrane protein. Further described is a method of magnetic alignment and crystallization of membrane proteins in two-dimensional (2D) sheets for protein structural characterization and applications in functional devices. Block co-copolymers are used in alternative embodiments to assist with the crystallization process.

Method of magnetically aligning and crystallizing membrane proteins

The present invention relates to the development and fabrication of thin-film polymer nanocomposites containing vertically aligned nanomaterials, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). In certain embodiments, the present invention utilizes liquid crystal mesophases of hexagonally packed cylindrical micelles that orient with their long axes parallel to an applied magnetic field, thereby directing the alignment of the nanomaterials, such as SWNTs, sequestered in the micellar cores. In certain embodiments, the mesophase may be a stable, single-phase material containing monomers that can be polymerized after nanotube alignment to form the nanocomposite polymer.

Growing community of inventors

Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Meagan Mauter