Biosensors Protected by Biomimetic Membrane with Carbon Nanotube Porins

Limited biocompatibility and fouling propensity can restrict real-world applications of a large variety of biosensors. Biological systems are adept at protecting and separating vital components of biological machinery with semipermeable membranes that often contain defined pores and gates to restrict transmembrane transport only to specific species. Here we use a fouling-resistant membrane, which mimic the architecture of cellular membranes in nature to protect biosensors. We integrate silicon nanoribbon transistor sensors with an antifouling lipid bilayer coating that contains carbon nanotube porin (CNTP) channels and demonstrate robust detection of proton and cations in a variety of complex biological fluids. Preliminary results of CNTP as a conduit bridging through cell membranes are also discussed.