Biomimetic photoreceptor

Andreea R. Merticaru

doi:10.1117/12.341178

10 March 1999 Biomimetic photoreceptor

Andreea R. Merticaru

Proceedings Volume 3680, Design, Test, and Microfabrication of MEMS and MOEMS; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.341178
Event: Design, Test, and Microfabrication of MEMS/MOEMS, 1999, Paris, France

Abstract

This is an artificial photoreceptor based on an organic polymer photocell. This organic polymer is bacteriorhodopsin (bR) derived from the purple membrane of Halobacterium Halobium. Also the retina itself uses this dye, rhodopsin, for the light-to-electricity conversion. When the light strikes the film, the dye molecules respond by changing shape. This change creates a displacement of charge, which generates an electrical signal through the electrode. Because the protein relaxes back to its original shape when the light hitting it remains constant, the protein delivers just a quick pulse of current to the electrode and then sends nothing more until the light intensity changes again. Parallel computation based on neurobiological principles is presently a great interest in terms of both advancing our knowledge on the fundamental basis of how the brain works and developing devices that can emulate neural networks. This study focuses on image detecting like that processing in the human eye. We also enlighten the possibility to simulate the visual perception by choosing the right design for our photoreceptor, in this view we imagine an original cell-like architecture to hold the bR purple membrane.

Citation Download Citation

Andreea R. Merticaru "Biomimetic photoreceptor", Proc. SPIE 3680, Design, Test, and Microfabrication of MEMS and MOEMS, (10 March 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.341178

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