Site-specific deposition of single gold nanoparticles by individual growth in electrohydrodynamically-printed attoliter droplet reactors.

Gold nanoparticles with unique electronic, optical and catalytic properties can be efficiently synthesized in colloidal suspensions and are of broad scientific and technical interest and utility. However, their orderly integration on functional surfaces and devices remains a challenge. Here we show that single gold nanoparticles can be directly grown in individually printed, stabilized metal-salt ink attoliter droplets, using a nanoscale electrohydrodynamic printing method with a stable high-frequency dripping mode.

Near-field light design with colloidal quantum dots for photonics and plasmonics.

Colloidal quantum-dots are bright, tunable emitters that are ideal for studying near-field quantum-optical interactions. However, their colloidal nature has hindered their facile and precise placement at desired near-field positions, particularly on the structured substrates prevalent in plasmonics. Here, we use high-resolution electro-hydrodynamic printing (<100 nm feature size) to deposit countable numbers of quantum dots on both flat and structured substrates with a few nanometer precision.

A novel 3D integrated platform for the high-resolution study of cell migration plasticity.

Understanding the mechanisms of interstitial cancer migration is of great scientific and medical interest. Creating 3D platforms, conducive to optical microscopy and mimicking the physical parameters (in plane and out of plane) involved in interstitial migration, is a major step forward in this direction. Here, a novel approach is used to directly print free-form, 3D micropores on basal scaffolds containing microgratings optimized for contact guidance.

Open-atmosphere sustenance of highly volatile attoliter-size droplets on surfaces.

The controlled formation and handling of minute liquid volumes on surfaces is essential to the success of microfluidics in biology, chemistry, and materials applications. Even though current methods have demonstrated their potential in a variety of experimental assays, there remain significant difficulties concerning breadth of applicability, standardization, throughput, and economics. Here we introduce a unique microfluidic paradigm in which microscopic volatile droplets are formed, sustained, and manipulated in size and content at any desired spot on unpatterned substrates.

Laccase-modified silica nanoparticles efficiently catalyze the transformation of phenolic compounds.

A new system based on laccase-modified silica nanoparticles has been developed and tested for its ability to degrade a major endocrine disrupting chemical, 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A). The nanoparticles have been produced using the Stöber method and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta-potential measurements. The introduction of primary amino groups at the surface of these particles has been achieved using an organo-silane (amino-propyl-triethoxy-silane).

Observation of all the intermediate steps of a chemical reaction on an oxide surface by scanning tunneling microscopy.

By means of high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we have revealed unprecedented details about the intermediate steps for a surface-catalyzed reaction. Specifically, we studied the oxidation of H adatoms by O(2) molecules on the rutile TiO(2)(110) surface. O(2) adsorbs and successively reacts with the H adatoms, resulting in the formation of water species.