Jane F Rice

US Patent:

7238729, Jul 3, 2007

Filed:

Aug 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/923151

Inventors:

Debra R. Rolison - Arlington VA, US
Jean M. Wallace - Alexandria VA, US
Jeremy J. Pietron - Washington DC, US
Jane K. Rice - Fairfax VA, US
Rhonda M. Stroud - Washington DC, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

C08J 9/36
C07K 14/80

US Classification:

521 841, 523219, 4241411, 4241451, 4241461, 106122

Abstract:

This disclosure describes the first viable non-enzyme protein encapsulated within an aerogel. In this, a large excess of cyt c is added to a commercial buffered Au sol solution ( ) which results in the formation of a goldprotein-protein superstructure in the absence of separation techniques which destroy the superstructure. The goldprotein-protein superstructure is then nanoglued into a silica framework during the sol to gel transition. To form the gel, the Aucyt. c superstructure in buffered medium is added to a silica sol and the composite gels are washed with acetone followed by liquid carbon dioxide and then supercritically dried to form the aerogel. The biocomposite aerogels have a multiplicity of applications particularly in the realm of sensing and energy transformation.

US Patent:

20040209338, Oct 21, 2004

Filed:

Apr 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/414570

Inventors:

Debra Rolison - Arlington VA, US
Jean Wallace - Alexandria VA, US
Jeremy Pietron - Washington DC, US
Jane Rice - Fairfax VA, US
Rhonda Stroud - Washington DC, US

International Classification:

C08J009/00
C12P003/00
C12N011/02
C08J009/32

US Classification:

435/168000, 521/064000, 435/177000

Abstract:

This disclosure describes the first viable non-enzyme protein encapsulated within an aerogel. In this, a large excess of cyt. c is added to a commercial buffered Au sol solution ( ) which results in the formation of a goldprotein-protein superstructure in the absence of separation techniques which destroy the superstructure. The goldprotein-protein superstructure is then nanoglued into a silica framework during the sol to gel transition. To form the gel, the Aucyt. c superstructure in buffered medium is added to a silica sol and the composite gels are washed with acetone followed by liquid carbon dioxide and then supercritically dried to form the aerogel. The biocomposite aerogels have a multiplicity of applications particularly in the realm of sensing and energy transformation.