Control of natural protein-assembly toward thermally conductive materials

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05182
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 35020:Polymer materials-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Sawada Toshiki 東京工業大学, 物質理工学院, 准教授 (20581078)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: タンパク質 / 熱拡散率 / 熱伝導性 / 自己集合化 / 結晶

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To clarify the potential of biopolymers as thermally conductive materials, the thermal diffusivity of films or crystals composed of proteins with various structures was measured. The thermal diffusivity of silk fibroin immersed in a solvent and irradiated with ultraviolet light increased significantly, indicating that the cross-linking of tyrosine residues adjacent to the β-sheet structures is essential for the high thermal diffusivity of protein-based assemblies. On the other hand, the thermal diffusivities of protein crystals vary depending on the crystal forms and measurement directions, suggesting that molecular interactions between protein molecules contribute to the heat transport pathway. Both thermal diffusivities of assemblies were higher than those of conventional synthetic polymers, indicating the high potential of proteins as thermally conductive materials.

Free Research Field

生体高分子科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年のデバイスの小型化に伴い、放熱は益々解決すべき問題となっている。本研究では、バイオ素材であるタンパク質が集合化したフィルムや結晶の熱伝導性を明らかにするとともに、タンパク質の構造制御に基づく高熱伝導化を検討した。タンパク質集合体が一般に高い熱伝導性を示すことを見出し、また構造制御による高熱伝導化が可能となることを見出し、タンパク質からなる集合体熱伝導性材料としての有用性を見出した。