We
report on a novel lipid bilayer system, in which a lateral bias
can be applied in addition to a conventional transmembrane voltage.
Freestanding bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) doped with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were formed in a microaperture,
around which metal electrodes were deposited. Using this system, it
was possible to modulate and amplify photoinduced transmembrane currents
by applying a lateral bias along the BLM. The results indicate that
the microfabricated Si chip with embedded electrodes is a promising
platform for the formation of transistor-like devices based on PCBM-doped
BLMs and have potential for use in a wide variety of nanohybrid devices.