Nanotechnology: On the surface

The development of molecular-based nanodevices requires the efficient construction of complex molecular structures on solid surfaces. Supramolecular aggregation — the spontaneous assembly of several molecules into defined higher-order structures — seems particularly suitable, and Yokoyama et al. now show with porphyrin molecules adsorbed on a gold surface that this approach is a promising route to the rational design of structures with useful electronic or optoelectronic functions.

Selective assembly on a surface of supramolecular aggregates with controlled size and shape
TAKASHI YOKOYAMA, SHIYOSHI YOKOYAMA, TOSHIYA KAMIKADO, YOSHISHIGE OKUNO & SHINRO MASHIKO
Nature 413, 619-621 (11 October 2001)
| First Paragraph | Full Text | PDF (266 K) |

Nanotechnology: Molecules join the assembly line
PAUL S. WEISS
Making patterns from molecular building blocks sounds like child's play, but has been surprisingly difficult to do. A new approach to assembling molecules into patterns may ultimately lead to molecule-based devices.
Nature 413, 585-586 (11 October 2001)
| Full Text | PDF (390 K) |

11 October 2001 table of contents