US Patent 7504383 - Metal encapsulating peptide nanotube

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7504383.html

Although carbon nanotubes can be formed with metallic properties it is often desirable to fill them with other metallic or magnetic materials to improve electrical, thermal, or mechanical properties for nanotube fillers. However, the filling of the carbon nanotubes can be difficult to accomplish. This patent from Ramot At Tel Aviv University teaches peptide nanotube encapsulation of metals as an alternative. Claim 1 reads:

1. A composition comprising a metal at least partially enclosed by a discrete tubular, nanostructure composed of a plurality of aromatic homodipeptides.