Photoelectric transducer having photosensitive chromoprotein film, i.e. bacteriorhodopsin

• US 5,107,104 A
• Filed: 10/18/1990
• Issued: 04/21/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Miyasaka, Tsutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Westin, Edward P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, STEPHONE B
• Application Number:
  US07/599,524
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 250/211 R, 250/214 R, 250/214 A, 136/263, 357/8, 357/30 H, 357/30 I, 357/30 J, 430/495
• US Class Current: 257/40
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/42 using electric radiation detectors optical or mechanical part G01J1/04; by comparison with a reference light or electric value G01J1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/20 Light-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 14/005 Photoelectrochemical storage cells light sensitive devices H01G9/20, semiconductors sensitive to light H01L31/00

Abstract

A photoelectric transducer which comprises a photoresponsive electrode, which is provided with an oriented film of a photosensitive chromoprotein at the interface of an electrically conductive electrode substrate and an electrolyte, combined with a counter electrode.

Claims

1. A photoelectric transducer comprising, in sequence, an electrically conductive electrode substrate, an oriented film of a photosensitive chromoprotein, an electrolyte, and a counter electrode.

2. A photoelectric transducer as in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive chromoprotein is bacteriorhodopsin or a derivative thereof.

3. A photoelectric transducer as in claim 2, wherein the molecules of said bacteriorhodopsin are oriented in such a direction that the amino-terminal of each protein molecule is oriented toward the electrically conductive electrode substrate.

4. A photoelectric transducer as in claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive electrode substrate is in an electrochemically cathodic polarization state.