Artificial Membrane System Prepared by Semiconductor Technology

Abstract
An excitable artificial membrane system fabricated by semiconductor processes was studied. This system had a single fine pore in the middle of the Si3N4. membrane, and an excitable artificial membrane, the triolein membrane, was formed in this pore. It showed rhythmic and sustained oscillations when it was immersed between aqueous solutions of Nail and KCl. It was found that there were two states of the oscillation period, a long term (>10 min) and a short term (<3 s).