Scalable Optical Nose Realized with a Chemiresistively Modulated Light-Emitter Array.

Biological olfaction relies on a large number of receptors that function as sensors to detect gaseous molecules. It is challenging to realize artificial olfactory systems that contain similarly large numbers of sensory materials. It is shown that combinatorial materials processing with vapor deposition can be used to fabricate large arrays of distinct chemiresistive sensing materials.

Platinum-DNA Origami Hybrid Structures in Concentrated Hydrogen Peroxide.

The DNA origami technique allows fast and large-scale production of DNA nanostructures that stand out with an accurate addressability of their anchor points. This enables the precise organization of guest molecules on the surfaces and results in diverse functionalities. However, the compatibility of DNA origami structures with catalytically active matter, a promising pathway to realize autonomous DNA machines, has so far been tested only in the context of bio-enzymatic activity, but not in chemically harsh reaction conditions.

Dry Synthesis of Pure and Ultrathin Nanoporous Metallic Films.

Nanoporous metals possess unique properties attributed to their high surface area and interconnected nanoscale ligaments. They are mostly fabricated by wet synthetic methods that are not universal to various metals and not free from impurities due to solution-based etching processes. Here, we demonstrate that the plasma treatment of metal nanoparticles formed by physical vapor deposition is a general route to form such films with many metals including the non-noble ones.

Light- and magnetically actuated FePt microswimmers.

Externally controlled microswimmers offer prospects for transport in biological research and medical applications. This requires biocompatibility of the swimmers and the possibility to tailor their propulsion mechanisms to the respective low Reynolds number environment. Here, we incorporate low amounts of the biocompatible alloy of iron and platinum (FePt) in its [Formula: see text] phase in microstructures by a versatile one-step physical vapor deposition process.

Large Area Patterning of Nanoparticles and Nanostructures: Current Status and Future Prospects.

Nanoparticles possess exceptional optical, magnetic, electrical, and chemical properties. Several applications, ranging from surfaces for optical displays and electronic devices, to energy conversion, require large-area patterns of nanoparticles. Often, it is crucial to maintain a defined arrangement and spacing between nanoparticles to obtain a consistent and uniform surface response.

Arrays of Plasmonic Nanoparticle Dimers with Defined Nanogap Spacers.

Plasmonic molecules are building blocks of metallic nanostructures that give rise to intriguing optical phenomena with similarities to those seen in molecular systems. The ability to design plasmonic hybrid structures and molecules with nanometric resolution would enable applications in optical metamaterials and sensing that presently cannot be demonstrated, because of a lack of suitable fabrication methods allowing the structural control of the plasmonic atoms on a large scale. Here we demonstrate a wafer-scale "lithography-free" parallel fabrication scheme to realize nanogap plasmonic meta-molecules with precise control over their size, shape, material, and orientation.

Self-Assembled Phage-Based Colloids for High Localized Enzymatic Activity.

Catalytically active colloids are model systems for chemical motors and active matter. It is desirable to replace the inorganic catalysts and the toxic fuels that are often used with biocompatible enzymatic reactions. However, compared to inorganic catalysts, enzyme-coated colloids tend to exhibit less activity.

Corrosion-Protected Hybrid Nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles composed of functional materials hold great promise for applications due to their unique electronic, optical, magnetic, and catalytic properties. However, a number of functional materials are not only difficult to fabricate at the nanoscale, but are also chemically unstable in solution. Hence, protecting nanoparticles from corrosion is a major challenge for those applications that require stability in aqueous solutions and biological fluids.

Active Nanorheology with Plasmonics.

Nanoplasmonic systems are valued for their strong optical response and their small size. Most plasmonic sensors and systems to date have been rigid and passive. However, rendering these structures dynamic opens new possibilities for applications.

Dispersion and shape engineered plasmonic nanosensors.

Biosensors based on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of individual metallic nanoparticles promise to deliver modular, low-cost sensing with high-detection thresholds. However, they continue to suffer from relatively low sensitivity and figures of merit (FOMs). Herein we introduce the idea of sensitivity enhancement of LSPR sensors through engineering of the material dispersion function.

Dynamic inclusion complexes of metal nanoparticles inside nanocups.

Host-guest inclusion complexes are abundant in molecular systems and of fundamental importance in living organisms. Realizing a colloidal analogue of a molecular dynamic inclusion complex is challenging because inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) with a well-defined cavity and portal are difficult to synthesize in high yield and with good structural fidelity. Herein, a generic strategy towards the fabrication of dynamic 1:1 inclusion complexes of metal nanoparticles inside oxide nanocups with high yield (>70%) and regiospecificity (>90%) by means of a reactive double Janus nanoparticle intermediate is reported.

Selectable Nanopattern Arrays for Nanolithographic Imprint and Etch-Mask Applications.

is presented that can be used to obtain arrays of multifunctional nanoparticles. These patterns can simply be converted into a variety of secondary nanopatterns that are useful for nanolithographic imprint, plasmonic, and etch-mask applications.

Self-propelling nanomotors in the presence of strong Brownian forces.

Motility in living systems is due to an array of complex molecular nanomotors that are essential for the function and survival of cells. These protein nanomotors operate not only despite of but also because of stochastic forces. Artificial means of realizing motility rely on local concentration or temperature gradients that are established across a particle, resulting in slip velocities at the particle surface and thus motion of the particle relative to the fluid.