Patent ID: 7041343
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: C03C,C08G,C09K,C12N,G02F

Abstract:
1. A substrate structure for biological neurite outgrowth, with the capability of undergoing many cycles of switching, comprising: a) a basic substrate and b) an alignment layer on said basic substrate, with a mono- or multi-layer of liquid crystal material on said alignment layer, or a combined alignment layer on said basic substrate, wherein said combined alignment layer includes a liquid crystal, and said combined alignment layer further comprises polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypeptide, polyacrylamide, polyvinylalcohol, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyurea and polyamide, or at least one type of azosilane; wherein said substrate structure for biological neurite outgrowth has at least one biological neuron on top of said mono- or multi-layer of liquid crystal material, or on top of said combined alignment layer which includes a liquid crystal; and wherein the orientation of the alignment layer or the combined alignment layer, and thereby the direction of biological neurite outgrowth, is controllable and changeable during the growth process of the biological neuron.