Custom electrodes and the minerals of egg shells in a gel solution. The images above show two different sets of custom electrodes.
The minerals of the egg shells of chickens were placed in a solution and current was applied to attempt the generation of egg shell forms. This is a 19th century “plating” technology, but was used with organic materials. The same process, although much more complex and refined because of our tools today, is being carried out in the creation of nano circuits in solution.
Research was undertaken in material scientist Michael Sailor’s lab by C. Gurtner who created a process where micro-circuits were created in solution using a charge-transfer organic salt, (Tetrathiafulvalene). This “circuit” could be grown, and then when the chemistry of the solution was changed, the circuit could be broken, creating an electrical switch of sorts, that exists and is based on the chemical reaction in the solution.
Another process in the same lab, was developed by by C.L Curtis and J.E. Ritchie, who used microscopic plantinum wires in solution, applying current, causing polymers to create nano structures.
Photos from the Sailor Lab, show the growing of the circuits, from platinum wire and polymers:
An electron microscope image of the organic salt circuit:
References:
Curtis, C.L., Ritchie, J.E., and Sailor, M.J., “Fabrication of Conducting PolymerInterconnects.” Science, 1993. 262: p. 2014.
Gurtner, C. and Sailor, M.J., “Selective Construction of Electrical Connections Using an Organic Charge-Transfer Salt.” Adv. Mater., 1996. 8(11): p. 897-9.
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