In essence, researchers are forming fossils of the virus. The procedure could someday be employed to create nanowires, strands of atoms, generally made of pure silicon, that can be used to conduct electricity or light.
This process could also be used to create nanowires out of different substances or even composite nanowires that contain chemically distinct bands of varying materials. In January, Belcher's lab produced nanowires out of cadmium sulphide with this method.
The reactive and template methods are reflected in Cambrios' name, which derives from the Cambrian period. The period, which took place between 543 million and 490 million years ago, saw an incredible profusion of new life forms and genetic activity. The modern world also has many fossils from that age.
Cambrios is now at the point where it needs to begin to catalogue materials that could become commercially viable. It also needs to develop a list of potential applications. One early commercial use could come in thin films. At present, putting different films together can require high temperatures and clean-rooms. Biological methods could cut costs by allowing manufacturers to conduct the process at lower temperatures, Knapp theorised. Materials employed for making electronic devices (gold, silicon, germanium) and magnetic (cobalt-platinum, iron-platinum) are amenable to these processes.
Some of these substances could also be used in new types of pixels. Another business idea is to develop bioelectrical tools that could be sold to larger, established manufacturers. As part of the tools push, the company signed an agreement with Dyax, a bioscience company specialising in designer proteins, to use that company's technology in electronics.
"We're trying to put together proof of concepts," Knapp said. "What we have to do next is bring out materials that are functional, demonstrable and relevant."
