Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

Nanotechnology

Patterns from molecular corrals

Nature volume 454, pages 585–586 (2008)Cite this article

Many nanotechnology devices will require components that consist of arrays of molecules positioned on surfaces with nanometre precision. One way to make these is to let the molecules organize themselves.

A major challenge in nanotechnology is to find a way of positioning molecules and atoms on surfaces in regular patterns, with nanometre precision yet over large surface areas. Reporting on page 618 of this issue, Madueno et al.1 describe just such a method. They have corralled self-assembling films within the pores of a two-dimensional network of molecules on a substrate, thereby forming patches of film in a repeating pattern that extends over a wide area. Each patch consists of spatially localized molecules that have chemical groups that perform a specific function. Crucially, the resulting system is robust enough to be used for technological applications, such as in nano-sized components for sensor devices.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Get just this article for as long as you need it

$39.95

Learn more

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1: Patterned arrays of molecules.

References

  1. Madueno, R., Räisänen, M. T., Silien, C. & Buck, M. Nature 454, 618–621 (2008).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Blunt, M. et al. Chem. Commun. 2304–2306 (2008).

  3. Pawin, G., Wong, K. L., Kwon, K.-Y. & Bartels, L. Science 313, 961–962 (2006).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Theobald, J. A et al. Nature 424, 1029–1031 (2003).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Stepanow, S., Lin, N., Barth, J. V. & Kern, K. Chem. Commun. 2153–2155 (2006).

  6. Spillmann, H. et al. Adv. Mater. 18, 275–279 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Michael Grunze is in the Department of Applied Physical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, INF 253, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. michael.grunze@urz.uni-heidelberg.de,

    Michael Grunze

Authors
  1. Michael Grunze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Grunze, M. Patterns from molecular corrals. Nature 454, 585–586 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/454585a

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/454585a

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing