# Biosynthetic optical waveguide interface integration using biomimetic - de novo design ELP for optoelectronic applications

## TL;DR

Researchers developed a biocompatible, water-based material for making optical waveguides using engineered proteins, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional optoelectronic materials.

## Contribution

A novel, all-water-based photoresist using a genetically engineered elastin-like polypeptide for sustainable photonic fabrication is introduced.

## Key findings

- The ELP-based photoresist enables two-photon polymerization without organic solvents or harsh processing.
- The material maintains structural integrity during and after high-intensity laser printing.
- This approach supports environmentally friendly fabrication of photonic devices using biosynthetic polypeptides.

## Abstract

The integration of biologically inspired materials into photonic device fabrication offers a promising route toward sustainable and biocompatible alternative to conventional in inorganic or petroleum based synthetic materials used in optoelectronic systems. In this work, we present a biosynthetic approach for waveguide fabrication utilizing a biomimetic - de novo designed elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) formulated into an all-water-based photoresist compatible with two-photon polymerization (2PP). The ELP was genetically engineered and recombinantly produced in microbes for enhanced molecular stability, a critical feature for withstanding both localized and bulk temperature increases that occur during high-intensity laser exposure during printing. The resulting ELP formulation supported direct writing of waveguide architecture without the need for organic solvents, harsh processing steps, or post-functionalization. This aqueous resist formulation exhibits high stability during printing and retains its structural integrity upon curing, making it a promising candidate for environmentally friendly, soft-material photonics. This work establishes a foundation for using biosynthetic polypeptides in the fabrication of functional photonic elements and demonstrates a step toward greener, protein-based optoelectronic manufacturing technologies.