InBio: fabrication of advanced electronics in microbial factories

Purpose and goal

The semiconductor electronics sector has a vast, detrimental environmental impact across the entire supply chain. Protein design now enables the precise arrangement of atoms on nanometer length scales, opening up the possibility of templating protein-semiconductor nanocomposites in a sustainable manner. We aim to establish a fully circular manufacturing process for semiconductor electronics based on sustainable biofabrication in microbial factories.

Expected effects and result

To achieve this vision, in this project we will (i) develop a detailed roadmap together with stakeholders; (ii) identify and train engineers and students in bootcamps and hackathon events focusing on practical protein design; (iii) map existing resources and infrastructure and design a strategy to fill any gaps to be able to execute the moonshot, and (iv) test the feasibility with regard to two critical technical challenges.

Planned approach and implementation

Aim 1 Bring together interdisciplinary experts, industry leaders and investors to brainstorm and develop a detailed roadmap, including round table discussion and think-groups. Aim 2 Survey of required and existing resources at the partner Universities, resulting in a resource strategy plan; Bootcamp-style seminars and hackathon to identify and train human resources. Aim 3 Test key engineering assumptions: optical characterization of produced semiconductors, organelle targeted design.