Precise pitch-scaling of carbon nanotube arrays within three-dimensional DNA nanotrenches.

Precise fabrication of semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into densely aligned evenly spaced arrays is required for ultrascaled technology nodes. We report the precise scaling of inter-CNT pitch using a supramolecular assembly method called spatially hindered integration of nanotube electronics. Specifically, by using DNA brick crystal-based nanotrenches to align DNA-wrapped CNTs through DNA hybridization, we constructed parallel CNT arrays with a uniform pitch as small as 10.

Flat Monolayer Graphene Cathodes for Li-Oxygen Microbatteries.

Miniature batteries can accelerate the development of mobile electronics by providing sufficient energy to power small devices. Typical microbatteries commonly use thin-film inorganic electrodes based on Li-ion insertion reaction. However, they rely on the complicated thin-film synthesis method of inorganics containing many elements.

Biotemplating pores with size and shape diversity for Li-oxygen Battery Cathodes.

Synthetic porogens provide an easy way to create porous structures, but their usage is limited due to synthetic difficulties, process complexities and prohibitive costs. Here we investigate the use of bacteria, sustainable and naturally abundant materials, as a pore template. The bacteria require no chemical synthesis, come in variable sizes and shapes, degrade easier and are approximately a million times cheaper than conventional porogens.

DNA-Directed Self-Assembly of Highly Ordered and Dense Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Arrays.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT or CNT) have unique and well-known high-performance material properties that can enable revolutionary increases in the performance of electronic devices and architectures. However, fabrication of large-scale SWNT-based ICs is an enormously challenging, unsolved problem, and self-assembly is likely needed for critical steps. Over the past several years, methods have been introduced to created ordered carbon nanotube structures using DNA guided self-assembly.

Supramolecular high-aspect ratio assemblies with strong antifungal activity.

Efficient and pathogen-specific antifungal agents are required to mitigate drug resistance problems. Here we present cationic small molecules that exhibit excellent microbial selectivity with minimal host toxicity. Unlike typical cationic polymers possessing molecular weight distributions, these compounds have an absolute molecular weight aiding in isolation and characterization.

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial supramolecular assemblies with distinctive size and shape.

With the increased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections, there is an urgent need for innovative antimicrobial treatments. One such area being actively explored is the use of self-assembling cationic polymers. This relatively new class of materials was inspired by biologically pervasive cationic host defense peptides.

DNA-linker-induced surface assembly of ultra dense parallel single walled carbon nanotube arrays.

Ultrathin film preparations of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) allow economical utilization of nanotube properties in electronics applications. Recent advances have enabled production of micrometer scale SWNT transistors and sensors but scaling these devices down to the nanoscale, and improving the coupling of SWNTs to other nanoscale components, may require techniques that can generate a greater degree of nanoscale geometric order than has thus far been achieved. Here, we introduce linker-induced surface assembly, a new technique that uses small structured DNA linkers to assemble solution dispersed nanotubes into parallel arrays on charged surfaces.

Self-assembly of carbon nanotubes into two-dimensional geometries using DNA origami templates.

A central challenge in nanotechnology is the parallel fabrication of complex geometries for nanodevices. Here we report a general method for arranging single-walled carbon nanotubes in two dimensions using DNA origami-a technique in which a long single strand of DNA is folded into a predetermined shape. We synthesize rectangular origami templates ( approximately 75 nm x 95 nm) that display two lines of single-stranded DNA 'hooks' in a cross pattern with approximately 6 nm resolution.