Forschung

Itamar Willner is distinguished for his scientific contributions to the fields of molecular and biomolecular electronics and optoelectronics, and particularly, for his pioneering studies in nanobiotechnology. His research led to fundamental paradigms for the electrical contacting of enzymes with electrodes, activities that led to unique electrochemical biosensors and biofuel cell elements. He is particularly known for his pioneering research that combines metal and semiconductor nanoparticles with biomolecules into functional hybrids for sensor and nanoscale device applications. He paved new research disciplines by providing new methods to self-assemble functional biomolecular nanostructures that perform machine-like operations, activate programmed biocatalytic reactions, provide scaffolds for the construction of nanoscale electronic circuitry, and systems that perform logic and biocomputing operations. He is also well known for his research in molecular electronics and optoelectronics. His scientific activities demonstrated the construction of novel electronic and optical sensor systems, the synthesis of new materials exhibiting tailored electronic and optical properties, and the design of signal-triggered molecular machines. The different molecular systems were implemented for sensing, information storage and processing, and used as functional materials for the construction of solar cells.