Creation of honeycomb-patterened cellulose by using a microorganism as a micro-machine

An aim of this study is to create patterned polymer matrix by regulation of microorganism motion on the patterned template. In this report, we attempted to fabricate honeycomb-patterned cellulose produced by Acetobactor xylinum on the agarose gel with honeycomb-pattern microgrooves. Under atmospheric conditions, the bacteria proliferated significantly together with a small cellulose production. In order to enhance cellulose production and depress bacterial proliferation, several incubation conditions were investigated. Cellulose production was improved under humid conditions (RH 95%), but the proliferation was still active. Remarkable cellulose production with growth supression was observed in incubation under the CO ₂ atmosphere with high humidity, while no cellulose production and proliferation was observed in the O ₂ atmosphere. The thickness of the resulting cellulose patterned-matrix was approximately 1.3 μm. We are now investigating on fabrication of larger patterned cellulose matrix.