June 25 (Thu), Seminar Announcement: Professor Luisa Torsi "Tailoring Functional Bio-Interlayers in Organic Field-Effect Transistors"

The present lecture aims to provide an overview on the development involving dielectric/organic semiconductor (OSC) interfaces for the realization of bio-functional organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). Specific focus will be given on bio-interfaces and recent technological approaches where biological materials serve as interlayers in back-gated OFETs for biosensing applications. To better understand the effects of the presence of biomolecules deposited at the dielectric/OSC interfacial region, the modification of the dielectric surface properties by means of self-assembled monolayers is discussed. Emphasis will be also given to the modification of solid-state dielectric surfaces, in particular inorganic dielectrics, with biological molecules such as peptides or proteins. Special attention is paid on how the presence of an interlayer of biomolecules and bio-recognition elements underneath the OSC impacts on the charge transport and sensing performance of the device. The role of metal contact/OSC interface in the overall performance of OFET based sensors is also discussed.