Metamaterial Optical Elements Self-Assembled on Protein Scaffolds
AssigneeThe Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsBanahalli R. Ratna, Carissa M. Soto, Ronald W. Rendell, Jake Fontana, Jeffrey R. Deschamps
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Abstract
A genetically modified cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) protein capsid serves as a scaffold for metal nanoparticles, preferably gold nanospheres, of 15 nm to 35 nm, creating plasmonic nanoclusters. The self-assembled nanoclusters gave rise to a 10-fold surface-averaged enhancement of the local electromagnetic field. Other viral capsids or virus-like proteins may also serve as such scaffolds.
Claims20
A nanocluster comprising:
- a cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) protein capsid, the protein genetically modified to incorporate a plurality of cysteine residues providing thiol groups on an exterior surface of the capsid, and
- a plurality of metal nanoparticles with a size between 15 nm and 35 nm bound to the thiol groups.
A method of preparing nanoclusters, the method comprising:
- providing metal nanoparticles with a size between 15 nm and 35 nm, and
- contacting a viral protein capsid with the metal nanoparticles in a solution comprising a chelator, thereby obtaining nanoclusters comprising the metal nanoparticles bound to the viral protein capsid.
A nanocluster comprising:
- a viral protein capsid and a plurality of metal nanoparticles with a size between of 15 nm to 35 nm bound to the thiol groups.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.