Flexible solid state conductors including polymer mixed with protein

A solid-state conducting polymer comprising:

• at least one protein;
• at least one polymer comprising at least one polar functional group, wherein individual molecules of the polymer are entangled with strands of the protein;
• and
• about 1 wt % to about 45 wt % of at least one salt.

A method for preparing a solid-state conductor, the method comprising:

• dissolving at least one salt in a solvent to form a salt solution;
• mixing a protein with the salt solution to form a protein dispersion;
• mixing a polymer with the protein dispersion to form a polymer-protein mixture;
• and
• evaporating the solvent from the polymer-protein mixture to form the solid-state conductor, wherein the solid-state conductor comprises about 1 wt % to about 45 wt % of at least one salt.

An electronic device comprising:

• a first electrode;
• a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode;
• a solid polymer electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and second electrode, the solid polymer electrolyte comprising:
• at least one salt;
• a plurality of polymer molecules;
• and
• at least one protein mixed with the polymer molecules, the protein having a network structure of individual, at least partially unfolded protein strands, wherein individual molecules of the polymer are entangled in the network structure of the protein;
• and
• wherein the solid polymer electrolyte comprises about 1 wt % to about 45 wt % of the salt, and has an electrical conductivity that allows an electrical current to flow between the first electrode and second electrode.