Leap forward in nanotechnology
Leap forward in nanotechnology
2008-08-28Newsfeed
Researchers in Scotland have made a crucial discovery in nanotechnology development which could have potential in areas such as sophisticated sensors and nanoelectronics.
Researchers in Scotland have made a crucial discovery in nanotechnology development which could have potential in areas such as sophisticated sensors and nanoelectronics.
Scientists at the University of St Andrews have come up with a way of forming an easily modified network of molecules over a large area - a technique which is preferable to more cumbersome traditional methods.
Lead researcher Dr Manfred Buck, of the University's School of Chemistry, said: "One of the central issues in nanotechnology is the development of simple and reliable methods to precisely arrange molecules and other nanoscopic objects."
The chemistry works by assembling molecules into tiny dimples, themselves created when molecules self-assemble into a honeycomb-shaped network on a gold surface. This 'supramolecular' network is held together by hydrogen bonds - a type of bonding also essential for DNA - and acts as a template to control the arrangement of other molecules.
Dr Buck said that the technology could be used in future for the assembly of 'nanomachines' - molecular devices used to transport and manipulate molecules and nanometer sized objects.
"Ongoing and future work will investigate changes in the dimensions and geometry of the network, where the aim is to get exact control over the arrangement of molecules, ultimately at the level of single molecules," he added.
Copyright © The Press Association 2008
