The unnatural order of things - p203

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.60

The ability of DNA to self-assemble into a variety of nanostructures and nanomachines is being exploited by a growing number of researchers.

Full Text - The unnatural order of things | PDF (99 KB) - The unnatural order of things

International standards for risk management in nanotechnology - pp205 - 206

Vladimir Murashov & John Howard

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.108

Full Text - International standards for risk management in nanotechnology | PDF (115 KB) - International standards for risk management in nanotechnology

International standards for risk management in nanotechnology - p205

Peter Hatto

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.25

Full Text - International standards for risk management in nanotechnology | PDF (83 KB) - International standards for risk management in nanotechnology

Computing with molecules - p207

Richard Jones

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.61

From possible next-generation electronic devices to the detailed workings of living cells, molecules can process information in many different ways, as Richard Jones reports.

Full Text - Computing with molecules | PDF (99 KB) - Computing with molecules

Our choice from the recent literature - pp208 - 209

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.62

Full Text - Our choice from the recent literature | PDF (251 KB) - Our choice from the recent literature

Top down bottom up: Joining the dots - p209

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.63

Full Text - Top down bottom up: Joining the dots | PDF (164 KB) - Top down bottom up: Joining the dots

DNA nanotechnology: A cascade of activity - pp211 - 212

Chenxiang Lin & Hao Yan

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.66

Enzymatic reactions can be coupled together by carefully organizing the enzymes on DNA scaffolds.

Full Text - DNA nanotechnologyA cascade of activity | PDF (218 KB) - DNA nanotechnologyA cascade of activity

Chemical vapour deposition: Making graphene on a large scale - pp212 - 213

Alexander N. Obraztsov

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.67

Graphene samples with areas of several square centimetres and excellent electrical and optical properties have been fabricated using chemical vapour deposition.

Full Text - Chemical vapour depositionMaking graphene on a large scale | PDF (193 KB) - Chemical vapour depositionMaking graphene on a large scale

Probe microscopy: Beneath the surface - p213

Owain Vaughan

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.59

Full Text - Probe microscopyBeneath the surface | PDF (154 KB) - Probe microscopyBeneath the surface

Thermoelectric devices: Helping chips to keep their cool - pp214 - 215

Arun Majumdar

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.65

As the removal of excess heat becomes increasingly important in semiconductor devices, localized thermoelectric cooling might be the answer to the problem of hotspots.

Full Text - Thermoelectric devicesHelping chips to keep their cool | PDF (126 KB) - Thermoelectric devicesHelping chips to keep their cool

Biosensors: Viruses for ultrasensitive assays - pp215 - 216

Edwin Donath

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.64

A three-dimensional assay based on genetically engineered viral nanoparticles and nickel nanohairs can detect much lower levels of protein markers associated with heart attacks than conventional assays.

Full Text - BiosensorsViruses for ultrasensitive assays | PDF (204 KB) - BiosensorsViruses for ultrasensitive assays

Getting to know the public - p216

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.56

Full Text - Getting to know the public | PDF (102 KB) - Getting to know the public

Chemical methods for the production of graphenes - pp217 - 224

Sungjin Park & Rodney S. Ruoff

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.58

Abstract - | Full Text - Chemical methods for the production of graphenes | PDF (454 KB) - Chemical methods for the production of graphenes

Subject Categories: Nanomaterials | Synthesis and processing

Mechanically interlocked calix[4]arene dimers display reversible bond breakage under force - pp225 - 229

Matthias Janke, Yuliya Rudzevich, Olena Molokanova, Thorsten Metzroth, Ingo Mey, Gregor Diezemann, Piotr E. Marszalek, Jürgen Gauss, Volker Böhmer & Andreas Janshoff

doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.416

Stretching experiments on single molecules offer a unique way to study the fundamental theories of statistical mechanics. Researchers have now shown that entangled calix[4]arene dimers can be used in such experiments as a tuneable model system for investigating the strength of hydrogen bonds on a single-molecule level.

Abstract - | Full Text - Mechanically interlocked calix[4]arene dimers display reversible bond breakage under force | PDF (1,641 KB) - Mechanically interlocked calix[4]arene dimers display reversible bond breakage under force | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Nanomaterials | Structural properties

Mechanically controlled binary conductance switching of a single-molecule junction - pp230 - 234

Su Ying Quek, Maria Kamenetska, Michael L. Steigerwald, Hyoung Joon Choi, Steven G. Louie, Mark S. Hybertsen, J. B. Neaton & Latha Venkataraman

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.10

Molecular-scale switches will be central components in nanoscale electronic devices. Switching in single-molecule junctions has so far been achieved through changes in the conformation or charge state of the molecule. Now, reversible binary switching has been demonstrated by mechanical control of the metal–molecule contact geometry—a mechanism which could form the basis for a new class of mechanically activated single-molecule switches.

Abstract - | Full Text - Mechanically controlled binary conductance switching of a single-molecule junction | PDF (935 KB) - Mechanically controlled binary conductance switching of a single-molecule junction | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Electronic properties and devices | Structural properties

On-chip cooling by superlattice-based thin-film thermoelectrics - pp235 - 238

Ihtesham Chowdhury, Ravi Prasher, Kelly Lofgreen, Gregory Chrysler, Sridhar Narasimhan, Ravi Mahajan, David Koester, Randall Alley & Rama Venkatasubramanian

doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.417

There is a requirement for site-specific and on-demand cooling in a wide array of electronic, optoelectronic and bioanalytical applications. Thermoelectric coolers, fabricated from nanostructured superlattices based on bismuth and tellurium, have now been integrated into state-of-the-art electronic packages in the first demonstration of a viable chip-scale refrigeration technology.

Abstract - | Full Text - On-chip cooling by superlattice-based thin-film thermoelectrics | PDF (464 KB) - On-chip cooling by superlattice-based thin-film thermoelectrics | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Electronic properties and devices | Nanomaterials

See also: News and Views by Majumdar

Bottom-up growth of fully transparent contact layers of indium tin oxide nanowires for light-emitting devices - pp239 - 244

C. O'Dwyer, M. Szachowicz, G. Visimberga, V. Lavayen, S. B. Newcomb & C. M. Sotomayor Torres

doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.418

Indium tin oxide (ITO) is widely used as a transparent conducting coating, but it has been difficult to combine electrical conductivity with good optical properties in the visible region. Researchers have now created layers of ITO nanowires that show optimum electronic and optical properties, and have demonstrated their use as fully transparent top contacts for light-emitting devices.

Abstract - | Full Text - Bottom-up growth of fully transparent contact layers of indium tin oxide nanowires for light-emitting devices | PDF (871 KB) - Bottom-up growth of fully transparent contact layers of indium tin oxide nanowires for light-emitting devices | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Nanomaterials | Photonic structures and devices

Dynamic patterning programmed by DNA tiles captured on a DNA origami substrate - pp245 - 248

Hongzhou Gu, Jie Chao, Shou-Jun Xiao & Nadrian C. Seeman

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.5

Structural DNA nanotechnology offers a powerful route to the dynamic and functional control of specific molecular species. Researchers have now demonstrated a dynamic form of patterning wherein a pattern component is captured between two independently programmed DNA devices. A simple and robust error-correction protocol that yields programmed targets in all cases has also been developed.

Abstract - | Full Text - Dynamic patterning programmed by DNA tiles captured on a DNA origami substrate | PDF (669 KB) - Dynamic patterning programmed by DNA tiles captured on a DNA origami substrate | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Molecular self-assembly | Surface patterning and imaging

Enzyme cascades activated on topologically programmed DNA scaffolds - pp249 - 254

Ofer I. Wilner, Yossi Weizmann, Ron Gill, Oleg Lioubashevski, Ronit Freeman & Itamar Willner

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.50

Predicting and controlling the functions in self-organized biomolecular nanostructures is a major challenge in systems biology. Now researchers have developed DNA scaffolds for the topological organization of different enzymes or cofactor-enzyme pairs. The organization of the biomolecules leads to the activation of enzyme cascades that do not occur in non-organized mixtures, and the reactivity of the system can be controlled by the DNA template.

Abstract - | Full Text - Enzyme cascades activated on topologically programmed DNA scaffolds | PDF (1,187 KB) - Enzyme cascades activated on topologically programmed DNA scaffolds | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Molecular self-assembly | Structural properties

See also: News and Views by Lin & Yan

Real-time monitoring of enzyme activity in a mesoporous silicon double layer - pp255 - 258

Manuel M. Orosco, Claudia Pacholski & Michael J. Sailor

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.11

A mesoporous silicon double layer with different pore sizes functions as a nanoreactor that can isolate, filter and quantify the kinetics of enzyme reactions in real-time by optical reflectivity. This tiny reactor may be used to rapidly characterize a variety of isolated enzymes in a label-free manner.

Abstract - | Full Text - Real-time monitoring of enzyme activity in a mesoporous silicon double layer | PDF (813 KB) - Real-time monitoring of enzyme activity in a mesoporous silicon double layer | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Nanosensors and other devices

A highly sensitive and selective diagnostic assay based on virus nanoparticles - pp259 - 264

Jin-Seung Park, Moon Kyu Cho, Eun Jung Lee, Keum-Young Ahn, Kyung Eun Lee, Jae Hun Jung, Yunjung Cho, Sung-Sik Han, Young Keun Kim & Jeewon Lee

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.38

Early detection of the protein marker troponin I can reduce the risk of death from heart attacks. A three-dimensional assay based on engineered viral nanoparticles and nickel nanohairs is six to seven orders of magnitude more sensitive than conventional assays.

Abstract - | Full Text - A highly sensitive and selective diagnostic assay based on virus nanoparticles | PDF (591 KB) - A highly sensitive and selective diagnostic assay based on virus nanoparticles | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Nanobiotechnology | Nanosensors and other devices

See also: News and Views by Donath

Continuous base identification for single-molecule nanopore DNA sequencing - pp265 - 270

James Clarke, Hai-Chen Wu, Lakmal Jayasinghe, Alpesh Patel, Stuart Reid & Hagan Bayley

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.12

A protein nanopore with a permanent adaptor molecule can continuously identify unlabelled DNA bases with 99.8% accuracy. This level of performance could provide the foundation for the development of nanopore-based DNA sequencing technologies that are faster and less expensive than existing approaches.

Abstract - | Full Text - Continuous base identification for single-molecule nanopore DNA sequencing | PDF (2,757 KB) - Continuous base identification for single-molecule nanopore DNA sequencing | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Nanobiotechnology