Bhubaneswar, Jan. 10 -- Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, have discovered that a naturally occurring bacterial protein can function as a light-responsive semiconductor, a finding that could transform the future of eco-friendly and biocompatible electronic devices.

The newly discovered semiconductor property of a known self-assembling bacterial shell protein could pave the way for safe, environmentally friendly electronics, from mobile phones and smart watches to medical instruments and environmental sensor.

The study reveals that a self-assembling bacterial shell protein, previously known for forming stable two-dimensional structures, exhibits photoactive and semiconducting behaviour without the ...