Control over deposition of nanoscale materials using structured surfaces
The ability to precisely localize and control deposition of materials at the nanoscale is extremely important for a wide variety of emerging technologies. Many unique physical properties emerge only at the nanoscale and it is very useful to be able to control the formation of these materials. Control over the nucleation, growth, and assembly of nanomaterials is critical to advanced applications and complex device structures. While it is difficult to manipulate materials at such small size scales, self-assembly techniques allow structured surfaces to be utilized to create solid materials.
Applications
Using super-hydrophobic surfaces engineered at nano-scale as a template for chemical reactions, this invention enables a wide variety of nanoscale deposition possibilities. This new method for localized nucleation, growth, and assembly of materials can be used for a diverse range of chemistries, including precipitation reactions, molecular adsorption, colloidal deposition, polymerization, catalytic reactions, or the deposition of biological cells. Compatible with both organic and inorganic chemistries, the invention serves as a platform for the creation of complex nanostructured materials, with applications such as functional fluorescent or electroluminescent materials for imaging and display, monodisperse nanoparticles formation, nanoparticles doped for specific properties such as magnetism and piezoelectricity, bioactive polymers or molecules for biosensing, or catalyst materials with extremely high surface areas.
The ability to precisely localize and control deposition of materials at the nanoscale is extremely important for a wide variety of emerging technologies. Many unique physical properties emerge only at the nanoscale and it is very useful to be able to control the formation of these materials. Control over the nucleation, growth, and assembly of nanomaterials is critical to advanced applications and complex device structures. While it is difficult to manipulate materials at such small size scales, self-assembly techniques allow structured surfaces to be utilized to create solid materials.
Using super-hydrophobic surfaces engineered at nano-scale as a template for chemical reactions, this invention enables a wide variety of nanoscale deposition possibilities. This new method for localized nucleation, growth, and assembly of materials can be used for a diverse range of chemistries, including precipitation reactions, molecular adsorption, colloidal deposition, polymerization, catalytic reactions, or the deposition of biological cells. Compatible with both organic and inorganic chemistries, the invention serves as a platform for the creation of complex nanostructured materials, with applications such as functional fluorescent or electroluminescent materials for imaging and display, monodisperse nanoparticles formation, nanoparticles doped for specific properties such as magnetism and piezoelectricity, bioactive polymers or molecules for biosensing, or catalyst materials with extremely high surface areas.
Intellectual Property Status: Patent(s) Pending