Dinoflagellate-Based Biohybrid Mechanolumiscent Transducer for Photonic Communication

This study explores the development of a novel biohybrid mechanoluminescent device utilising marine dinoflagellates, Pyrocystis Fusiformis. The integration of living organisms with synthetic materials in biohybrid systems offers transformative potential for sustainable applications in sensing, monitoring, and communication. Mechanoluminescence (ML), the generation of light triggered by mechanical stress, is particularly suited for low-energy, high-sensitivity biohybrid systems. However, challenges such as material brittleness, environmental sensitivity, and complex fabrication processes limit the scalability and functionality of practical applications of such devices. To tackle these limitations, this study focuses on the feasibility of incorporating dinoflagellates, which exhibit natural mechanosensing capabilities and bioluminescent responses to minimal mechanical stimuli, into biohybrid devices. By leveraging these organisms’ natural bioluminescence, this research delves into sustainable alternatives to conventional photonic communication devices. Two distinct fabrication approaches were investigated: 1) Alginate hydrogel composites and 2) Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-encapsulated chambers. Both systems were evaluated for mechanical durability, transparency, bioluminescence, and living viability. The alginate hydrogels, crosslinked with Ca2⁺ ions and reinforced with xanthan gum and elastomer coatings, provided improved structural flexibility and enhanced bioluminescence uniformity. Though challenges remain in maintaining bioluminescent intensity and addressing the manual fabrication processes, the results demonstrated promising potential for versatile, ultra-sensitive applications of the living composites. This study offers a pathway toward sustainable, accessible, and scalable solutions for high-sensitivity mechanosensing and low-energy photonic communication systems through the novel approach of dinoflagellate biohybrid devices. This project report utilised OpenAI's ChatGPT as a tool for idea drafting text, refining language, and researching common polymer composites used in current ML systems. The AI's contributions were limited to providing conceptual insights and enhancing clarity. All content was reviewed and verified by the authors to ensure accuracy and relevance.