Microelectronic Devices Based on Nanomaterial-Carrier Cells - Cell Surface Engineering: Fabrication of Functional Nanoshells - page 126

CHAPTER 7
Microelectronic Devices Based
on Nanomaterial-Carrier Cells

d n 8 y 4 n g | 6

VIVEK MAHESHWARI* AND SHEHAN SALGADO

Dept of Chemistry, The Nanotechnology Program; Waterloo Institute of
Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West,
Waterloo ON Canada N2L 3G1
*Email: [e-mail]

7.1 Introduction
Cells are structured materials with specific organization targeted to ac-
complish the task of sustaining life. The outer layer of cells is a plasma
membrane or a cell wall, both of which act as barriers leading to a controlled
environment inside the cell. This barrier composed of lipids, carbohydrates,
and proteins is organic in composition. The natural environment of the cells
dictates that ions and protons are the primary charged species that are the
part of cellular processes. The evolution of ion and proton pumps and
channels is a clear indication of their crucial role in sustaining life. Elec-
trons, on the other hand, play a very limited role (mostly short range) due to
the aqueous nature and organic composition of a cell's environment. This
selection dictated by the natural environment of cells leads to significant
challenges for development of electronic devices integrated with or based on
cells. This is apparent in human environment, where most of our biological
processes are biochemical and based on ions, but our civilization is driven in
large part by electron-based processes including our basic source of energy -
electricity. The integration of cells with an active microelectronic interface

.