Abstract: The invention relates to a microbattery made of bioelectroactive components based on biomimetic processes. Bio-derived electron donors and electron acceptors are separately encapsulated in at least one pair of polymerized phospholipid vesicles. Embedded within the vesicle walls are lipophilic electron mediators that facilitate the transfer of electrons across the vesicle walls. Each pair of vesicles is immobilized on a conducting surface. The pair of vesicles are isolated from each other to create a galvanic cell, in which electrons flow from high to low electrochemical potential. A high energy density battery can be achieved if the vesicles are immobilized on highly porous conducting substrates.

Abstract: A method of making a molecularly imprinted porous structure makes use of a surfactant analog of the molecule to be imprinted that has the imprint molecule portion serving as the surfactant headgroup. The surfactant analog is allowed to self-assemble in a mixture to create at least one supramolecular structure having exposed imprint groups. The imprinted porous structure is formed by adding reactive monomers to the mixture and allowing the monomers to polymerize, with the supramolecular structure serving as a template. The resulting solid structure has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the supramolecular structure and has cavities that are the mirror image of the imprint group. Similarly, molecularly imprinted particles may be made by using the surfactant to create a water-in-oil microemulsion wherein the imprint groups are exposed to the water phase.