Wide-range directed self-assembly lithography enabling wider range of applicable pattern size for both hexagonal multi-hole and line/space

Molecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in nature and has emerged as a new approach to produce new materials in chemistry, engineering, nanotechnology, polymer science and materials. Molecular self-assembly has been attracting increasing interest from the scientific community in recent years due to its importance in understanding biology and a variety of diseases at the molecular level. In the last few years, considerable advances have been made in the use ofpeptides as building blocks to produce biological materials for wide range of applications, including fabricating novel supra-molecular structures and scaffolding for tissue repair. The study ofbiological self-assembly systems represents a significant advancement in molecular engineering and is a rapidly growing scientific and engineering field that crosses the boundaries ofexisting disciplines. Many self-assembling systems are rangefrom bi- andtri-block copolymers to DNA structures as well as simple and complex proteins andpeptides. The ultimate goal is to harness molecular self-assembly such that design andcontrol ofbottom-up processes is achieved thereby enabling exploitation of structures developed at the meso- and macro-scopic scale for the purposes oflife and non-life science applications. Such aspirations can be achievedthrough understanding thefundamental principles behind the selforganisation and self-synthesis processes exhibited by biological systems.

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UV Nanoimprint Lithography: Geometrical Impact on Filling Properties of Nanoscale Patterns

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano11030822 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 822

Author(s):

Christine Thanner ◽

Martin Eibelhuber

Keyword(s):

Layer Thickness ◽

Process Parameters ◽

Nanoimprint Lithography ◽

Failure Modes ◽

Production Method ◽

Efficient Production ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Replication Method ◽

Wide Range ◽

Pattern Size

Ultraviolet (UV) Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL) is a replication method that is well known for its capability to address a wide range of pattern sizes and shapes. It has proven to be an efficient production method for patterning resist layers with features ranging from a few hundred micrometers and down to the nanometer range. Best results can be achieved if the fundamental behavior of the imprint resist and the pattern filling are considered by the equipment and process parameters. In particular, the material properties and pattern size and shape play a crucial role. For capillary force-driven filling behavior it is important to understand the influencing parameters and respective failure modes in order to optimize the processes for reliable full wafer manufacturing. In this work, the nanoimprint results obtained for different pattern geometries are compared with respect to pattern quality and residual layer thickness: The comprehensive overview of the relevant process parameters is helpful for setting up NIL processes for different nanostructures with minimum layer thickness.

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Polymer cyclization for the emergence of hierarchical nanostructures

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-24222-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chaojian Chen ◽

Manjesh Kumar Singh ◽

Katrin Wunderlich ◽

Sean Harvey ◽

Colette J. Whitfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Self Assembly ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Hierarchical Structures ◽

Structural Similarity ◽

Vital Role ◽

Nanomaterial Synthesis ◽

Wide Range ◽

Linear Poly ◽

Polymer Folding ◽

Dynamics Simulations

AbstractThe creation of synthetic polymer nanoobjects with well-defined hierarchical structures is important for a wide range of applications such as nanomaterial synthesis, catalysis, and therapeutics. Inspired by the programmability and precise three-dimensional architectures of biomolecules, here we demonstrate the strategy of fabricating controlled hierarchical structures through self-assembly of folded synthetic polymers. Linear poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) of different lengths are folded into cyclic polymers and their self-assembly into hierarchical structures is elucidated by various experimental techniques and molecular dynamics simulations. Based on their structural similarity, macrocyclic brush polymers with amphiphilic block side chains are synthesized, which can self-assemble into wormlike and higher-ordered structures. Our work points out the vital role of polymer folding in macromolecular self-assembly and establishes a versatile approach for constructing biomimetic hierarchical assemblies.

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Zeolates: A Coordination Chemistry View of Metal-Ligand Bonding in Intrazeolite MOCVD Type Precursors and Semiconductor Nanoclusters

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-277-105 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 277 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Geoffrey A. Ozin ◽

Carol L. Bowes ◽

Mark R. Steele

Keyword(s):

Self Assembly ◽

Materials Science ◽

Zeolite Y ◽

Chemical Vapour ◽

Internal Surface ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Structural Features ◽

Organic Chemical ◽

Wide Range ◽

Shape Selective

ABSTRACTVarious MOCVD (metal-organic chemical vapour deposition) type precursors and their self-assembled semiconductor nanocluster products [1] have been investigated in zeolite Y hosts. From analysis of in situ observations (FTIR, UV-vis reflectance, Mössbauer, MAS-NMR) of the reaction sequences and structural features of the precursors and products (EXAFS and Rietveld refinement of powder XRD data) the zeolite is viewed as providing a macrospheroidal, multidendate coordination environment towards encapsulated guests. By thinking about the α- and β-cages of the zeolite Y host effectively as a zeolate ligand composed of interconnected aluminosilicate “crown ether-like” building blocks, the materials chemist is able to better understand and exploit the reactivity and coordination properties of the zeolite internal surface for the anchoring and self-assembly of a wide range of encapsulated guests. This approach helps with the design of synthetic strategies for creating novel guest-host inclusion compounds having possible applications in areas of materials science such as nonlinear optics, quantum electronics, and size/shape selective catalysis.

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A Structurally Variable Hinged Tetrahedron Framework from DNA Origami

Journal of Nucleic Acids ◽

10.4061/2011/360954 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

David M. Smith ◽

Verena Schüller ◽

Carsten Forthmann ◽

Robert Schreiber ◽

Philip Tinnefeld ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Self Assembly ◽

Gel Electrophoresis ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Dna Origami ◽

Microscopy Technique ◽

Wire Frame ◽

Wide Range ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Linker Molecules

Nanometer-sized polyhedral wire-frame objects hold a wide range of potential applications both as structural scaffolds as well as a basis for synthetic nanocontainers. The utilization of DNA as basic building blocks for such structures allows the exploitation of bottom-up self-assembly in order to achieve molecular programmability through the pairing of complementary bases. In this work, we report on a hollow but rigid tetrahedron framework of 75 nm strut length constructed with the DNA origami method. Flexible hinges at each of their four joints provide a means for structural variability of the object. Through the opening of gaps along the struts, four variants can be created as confirmed by both gel electrophoresis and direct imaging techniques. The intrinsic site addressability provided by this technique allows the unique targeted attachment of dye and/or linker molecules at any point on the structure's surface, which we prove through the superresolution fluorescence microscopy technique DNA PAINT.

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Self-aligned line-space pattern customization with directed self-assembly graphoepitaxy at 24nm pitch

10.1117/12.2084845 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

HsinYu Tsai ◽

Hiroyuki Miyazoe ◽

Joy Cheng ◽

Markus Brink ◽

Simon Dawes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Self Assembly ◽

Space Pattern ◽

Line Space

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Engineering the shape of Zinc Oxide crystals via sonochemical or hydrothermal solution-based methods

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-1087-v06-04 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 1087 ◽

Author(s):

Marco Palumbo ◽

Simon J. Henley ◽

Thierry Lutz ◽

Vlad Stolojan ◽

David Cox ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zinc Oxide ◽

Self Assembly ◽

Hydrothermal Solution ◽

Good Control ◽

Transparent Conductors ◽

Zno Nanostructures ◽

Large Area ◽

Light Emitting Devices ◽

Wide Range ◽

Solution Methods

AbstractRecent results in the use of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nano/submicron crystals in fields as diverse as sensors, UV lasers, solar cells, piezoelectric nanogenerators and light emitting devices have reinvigorated the interest of the scientific community in this material. To fully exploit the wide range of properties offered by ZnO, a good understanding of the crystal growth mechanism and related defects chemistry is necessary. However, a full picture of the interrelation between defects, processing and properties has not yet been completed, especially for the ZnO nanostructures that are now being synthesized. Furthermore, achieving good control in the shape of the crystal is also a very desirable feature based on the strong correlation there is between shape and properties in nanoscale materials. In this paper, the synthesis of ZnO nanostructures via two alternative aqueous solution methods - sonochemical and hydrothermal - will be presented, together with the influence that the addition of citric anions or variations in the concentration of the initial reactants have on the ZnO crystals shape. Foreseen applications might be in the field of sensors, transparent conductors and large area electronics possibly via ink-jet printing techniques or self-assembly methods.

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Modification of a Single Atom Affects the Physical Properties of Double Fluorinated Fmoc-Phe Derivatives

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22179634 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (17) ◽

pp. 9634

Author(s):

Moran Aviv ◽

Dana Cohen-Gerassi ◽

Asuka A. Orr ◽

Rajkumar Misra ◽

Zohar A. Arnon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Physical Properties ◽

Self Assembly ◽

Deep Understanding ◽

Building Blocks ◽

The Self ◽

Single Atom ◽

Supramolecular Organization ◽

Assembly Process ◽

Wide Range

Supramolecular hydrogels formed by the self-assembly of amino-acid based gelators are receiving increasing attention from the fields of biomedicine and material science. Self-assembled systems exhibit well-ordered functional architectures and unique physicochemical properties. However, the control over the kinetics and mechanical properties of the end-products remains puzzling. A minimal alteration of the chemical environment could cause a significant impact. In this context, we report the effects of modifying the position of a single atom on the properties and kinetics of the self-assembly process. A combination of experimental and computational methods, used to investigate double-fluorinated Fmoc-Phe derivatives, Fmoc-3,4F-Phe and Fmoc-3,5F-Phe, reveals the unique effects of modifying the position of a single fluorine on the self-assembly process, and the physical properties of the product. The presence of significant physical and morphological differences between the two derivatives was verified by molecular-dynamics simulations. Analysis of the spontaneous phase-transition of both building blocks, as well as crystal X-ray diffraction to determine the molecular structure of Fmoc-3,4F-Phe, are in good agreement with known changes in the Phe fluorination pattern and highlight the effect of a single atom position on the self-assembly process. These findings prove that fluorination is an effective strategy to influence supramolecular organization on the nanoscale. Moreover, we believe that a deep understanding of the self-assembly process may provide fundamental insights that will facilitate the development of optimal amino-acid-based low-molecular-weight hydrogelators for a wide range of applications.

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