Nanostructures articles within Nature Communications

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• Article
  12 December 2017 | Open Access

  Polymorphic design of DNA origami structures through mechanical control of modular components

  The use of staple strands paired with scaffold strands allows the creation of a diverse array of DNA origami nanostructures. Here the authors rationally design a set of staples with variable hinges allowing controllable geometry and flexibility of the final structure.

  • Chanseok Lee
  • , Jae Young Lee
  •  & Do-Nyun Kim

• Article
  30 November 2017 | Open Access

  Graphene-edge dielectrophoretic tweezers for trapping of biomolecules

  The capability of positioning target molecules onto the edges of patterned graphene nanostructures is highly desirable. Here, the authors demonstrate that the atomically sharp edges of graphene can be used as dielectrophoretic tweezers for gradient-force-based trapping applications.

  • Avijit Barik
  • , Yao Zhang
  •  & Sang-Hyun Oh

• Article
  19 October 2017 | Open Access

  Control of enzyme reactions by a reconfigurable DNA nanovault

  DNA nanostructures can cage enzymes but currently fall short of controlling their reactions with substrates. Here, the authors enclose an enzyme inside a dynamic DNA vault, which regulates its access to substrate molecules—and thus its enzymatic activity—through a multi-lock mechanism.

  • Guido Grossi
  • , Mette Dalgaard Ebbesen Jepsen
  •  & Ebbe Sloth Andersen

• Article
  17 October 2017 | Open Access

  Glycaemic control boosts glucosylated nanocarrier crossing the BBB into the brain

  There are only a few examples of nanocarriers that can transport bioactive substances across the blood-brain barrier. Here the authors show that by rapid glycaemic increase the accumulation of a glucosylated nanocarrier in the brain can be controlled.

  • Y. Anraku
  • , H. Kuwahara
  •  & K. Kataoka

• Article
  14 September 2017 | Open Access

  Protein-driven RNA nanostructured devices that function in vitro and control mammalian cell fate

  Nucleic acid nanotechnology has great potential for future therapeutic applications. Here the authors build protein-driven RNA nanostructures that can function within mammalian cells and regulate the cell fate.

  • Tomonori Shibata
  • , Yoshihiko Fujita
  •  & Hirohide Saito

• Article
  31 May 2017 | Open Access

  Oligolysine-based coating protects DNA nanostructures from low-salt denaturation and nuclease degradation

  The instability of DNA nanostructures in physiological environments has hampered their use as therapeutics and diagnostic agents inin vivoapplications. Here, the authors show that coating DNA origami with oligolysine-PEG moieties improves their pharmacokinetic properties in mouse models.

  • Nandhini Ponnuswamy
  • , Maartje M. C. Bastings
  •  & William M. Shih

• Article
  23 February 2017 | Open Access

  Interface confined hydrogen evolution reaction in zero valent metal nanoparticles-intercalated molybdenum disulfide

  Interface confined reactions are a viable strategy for achieving stable and selective catalysts. Here, the authors demonstrate that 1T'-enriched lithiated MoS₂ can reduce metal ions in situ, forming zero valent platinum nanoparticle-intercalated MoS₂, with enhanced hydrogen evolution activity.

  • Zhongxin Chen
  • , Kai Leng
  •  & Kian Ping Loh

• Article
  16 February 2017 | Open Access

  Tailored protein encapsulation into a DNA host using geometrically organized supramolecular interactions

  Current strategies for protein encapsulation in DNA vessels for controlled enzymatic catalysis or therapeutic delivery rely on formation of covalent complexes. Here, the authors design a system that mimics natural reversible non-covalent host–guest interactions between a DNA host and the protein DegP.

  • Andreas Sprengel
  • , Pascal Lill
  •  & Barbara Saccà

• Article
  23 January 2017 | Open Access

  Wafer-scale integration of sacrificial nanofluidic chips for detecting and manipulating single DNA molecules

  The wide use of microfluidics for biological analysis demands scalable preparation methods, yet in practice it is very challenging. Here, Wanget al. show a wafer-scale fabrication of nanofluidic chips with single-digit nanometre dimension, which is compatible with standard semiconductor processing.

  • Chao Wang
  • , Sung-Wook Nam
  •  & Qinghuang Lin

• Article
  16 November 2016 | Open Access

  Carbon nanotube dry adhesives with temperature-enhanced adhesion over a large temperature range

  Adhesives typically lose adhesion strength at high temperatures. Here, the authors design a carbon nanotube dry adhesive that becomes stronger with rising temperature, and ascribe this counterintuitive behavior to a thermally-induced nanoscale interlocking mechanism.

  • Ming Xu
  • , Feng Du
  •  & Liming Dai

• Article
  15 November 2016 | Open Access

  In situ characterization of nanoparticle biomolecular interactions in complex biological media by flow cytometry

  The protein corona on nanoparticle surfaces leads to presentation of receptor-binding motifs and defines the cellular interactions. Here, the authors use antibody mapping fluorescent quantum dot reporters, and flow cytometry to measure the availability of these recognition motifs in biological media.

  • Maria Cristina Lo Giudice
  • , Luciana M. Herda
  •  & Kenneth A. Dawson

• Article
  06 October 2016 | Open Access

  A modular platform for one-step assembly of multi-component membrane systems by fusion of charged proteoliposomes

  Assembling multiple biological components into synthetic lipid vesicles is a limiting step in the manufacture of biomimetic cell-like structures. Here the authors use fusogenic proteoliposomes of opposite charge for fast assembly of a minimal electron transport chain consisting of F₁F₀ ATP-synthase and the proton pump bo₃-oxidase.

  • Robert R. Ishmukhametov
  • , Aidan N. Russell
  •  & Richard M. Berry

• Article
  19 July 2016 | Open Access

  Collapsed polymer-directed synthesis of multicomponent coaxial-like nanostructures

  Multicomponent colloidal nanostructures have topologically dependent chemical and physical properties, but are difficult to synthesise with high order complexity. Here, Nie and co-workers show a general and scalable route to synthesise such structures with unique coaxial-like construction.

  • Zhiqi Huang
  • , Yijing Liu
  •  & Zhihong Nie

• Article
  08 June 2016 | Open Access

  Nanodiamond-based nanostructures for coupling nitrogen-vacancy centres to metal nanoparticles and semiconductor quantum dots

  The coupling of nitrogen-vacancy centres with plasmonic and photonic nanostructures is usually studied by top-down preparation. Here, Gong et al. use a bottom-up approach to grow metallic and semiconducting nanoparticles on nanodiamonds, controlling the nanoparticle coverage, size and composition.

  • Jianxiao Gong
  • , Nat Steinsultz
  •  & Min Ouyang

• Article
  06 June 2016 | Open Access

  111 oriented gold nanoplatelets on multilayer graphene as visible light photocatalyst for overall water splitting

  A plethora of photocatalysts have been investigated in order to obtain solar fuels but the photon-to-hydrogen molecule conversion is generally remains low. Here the authors show that 111 facet oriented gold nanoplatelets on multilayer graphene films is an active photocatalyst for overall water splitting.

  • Diego Mateo
  • , Iván Esteve-Adell
  •  & Hermenegildo Garcia

• Article
  03 June 2016 | Open Access

  Photoelectrochemical water splitting enhanced by self-assembled metal nanopillars embedded in an oxide semiconductor photoelectrode

  Nanoscale designs are known to increase the energy conversion efficiency of photoelectrochemical water splitting. Here, the authors report a self-organized nanocomposite formed by embedding self-assembled metal nanopillars in a semiconductor thin film, for enhanced photocarrier separation efficiency.

  • Seiji Kawasaki
  • , Ryota Takahashi
  •  & Mikk Lippmaa

• Article
  03 June 2016 | Open Access

  Freestanding three-dimensional core–shell nanoarrays for lithium-ion battery anodes

  Degradation and low conductivity of transition metal oxide anodes cause capacity fading in lithium ion batteries. Here the authors make freestanding 3D copper oxide/carbon nitride core-shell nanoarrays which accommodate volume change, provide electro-active zones and facilitate rapid charge transport.

  • Guoqiang Tan
  • , Feng Wu
  •  & Khalil Amine

• Article
  18 March 2016 | Open Access

  Regulation at a distance of biomolecular interactions using a DNA origami nanoactuator

  The construction of nano-machines requires building nano-scale structures with controllable functions. Here the authors use DNA origami to construct an allosteric actuator which can act as signal propagator and an environmental sensor.

  • Yonggang Ke
  • , Travis Meyer
  •  & Gaetan Bellot

• Article
  20 January 2016 | Open Access

  In vivo covalent cross-linking of photon-converted rare-earth nanostructures for tumour localization and theranostics

  Directing nanomedicines to desired locations - such as tumour sites - is difficult to achieve selectively. Here, the authors develop a method to covalently crosslink peptide-modified upconversion nanocrystals into tumour sites for photodynamic therapy and show in vivotumour inhibition in mice.

  • Xiangzhao Ai
  • , Chris Jun Hui Ho
  •  & Bengang Xing

• Article
  12 January 2016 | Open Access

  Two-dimensional honeycomb network through sequence-controlled self-assembly of oligopeptides

  Peptide nanostructures are currently arousing interest thanks to their potential applications in medicine, electronics and coatings. Here, through experiment and theory, the authors demonstrate exquisite control over surface peptide assembly behaviour through manipulation of amino acid sequence.

  • Sabine Abb
  • , Ludger Harnau
  •  & Klaus Kern

• Article
  21 October 2015 | Open Access

  Ultrahigh sensitivity and layer-dependent sensing performance of phosphorene-based gas sensors

  Phosphorene is one of a growing number of 2D materials with high potential for device applications. Here, the authors report a sensor composed of phosphorene nanosheets, showing a high sensitivity to NO₂in dry air and also demonstrate that the sensitivity depends on the nanosheet thickness.

  • Shumao Cui
  • , Haihui Pu
  •  & Junhong Chen

• Article
  16 October 2015 | Open Access

  Aqueous multiphoton lithography with multifunctional silk-centred bio-resists

  Scientists are increasingly realising the potential for natural materials in micro- and nanofabrication. Here, the authors employ silk-based resists for aqueous multiphoton lithography towards generating intricate structures by femtosecond direct writing.

  • Yun-Lu Sun
  • , Qi Li
  •  & Hong-Bo Sun

• Article
  15 October 2015 | Open Access

  Formation of functional super-helical assemblies by constrained single heptad repeat

  Advances in bionanotechnology demand an increased portfolio of assemblies beyond those currently available. Here, the authors design a crystallographically characterized super-helical sequence composed of single heptad repeats which, through derivatisation, offers vast potential applications.

  • Sudipta Mondal
  • , Lihi Adler-Abramovich
  •  & Ehud Gazit

• Article
  02 September 2015 | Open Access

  Flexible transition metal dichalcogenide nanosheets for band-selective photodetection

  Transition metal dichalgogenide sheets prepared by liquid phase exfoliation can be limited in terms of scalability. Here, Velusamy et al. use a scalable liquid phase exfoliation process to fabricate micrometre thick composite nanosheets with amine-terminated polymers, which exhibit photo-detective properties.

  • Dhinesh Babu Velusamy
  • , Richard Hahnkee Kim
  •  & Cheolmin Park

• Article
  06 August 2015 | Open Access

  Gram-scale synthesis of coordination polymer nanodots with renal clearance properties for cancer theranostic applications

  Coordination polymers are promising drug delivery nanomaterials as their structural properties can be easily controlled. Here, Wang et al. prepare coordination nanodots that integrate cancer imaging and therapeutic functions with beneficial renal clearance.

  • Fuyao Liu
  • , Xiuxia He
  •  & Zhenxin Wang

• Article
  26 June 2015 | Open Access

  Kinetics and fracture resistance of lithiated silicon nanostructure pairs controlled by their mechanical interaction

  It is imperative to understand how individual Si nanostructures interact in battery operations. Here, the authors design well-defined crystalline Si nanopillars and show how mechanical interactions of neighbouring Si structures affect their reaction kinetics and fracture resistance during electrochemical lithiation.

  • Seok Woo Lee
  • , Hyun-Wook Lee
  •  & Yi Cui

• Article | 05 May 2015

  Tuning the acoustic frequency of a gold nanodisk through its adhesion layer

  The mechanical properties of metal nanostructures depend on nature of the adhesion layer attaching it to a substrate. Chang et al.find that the properties of phonons in gold nanodisks vary with adhesion layer thickness, and that this response can act as a probe of the metallic composition of the disk.

  • Wei-Shun Chang
  • , Fangfang Wen
  •  & Stephan Link

• Article
  22 April 2015 | Open Access

  Metallic glass nanostructures of tunable shape and composition

  The nanoscale manipulation of the shape and composition of metallic glasses is challenging. Here, the authors employ a multitarget carousel oblique angle deposition strategy to synthesize metallic glass nanoarchitectures, and demonstrate applicability to a range of glass-forming alloys.

  • Yanhui Liu
  • , Jingbei Liu
  •  & Jan Schroers

• Article | 22 April 2015

  The role of random nanostructures for the omnidirectional anti-reflection properties of the glasswing butterfly

  The transparent wings of the glasswing butterfly have a low reflectance over the visible spectrum thanks to the nanopillars distributed across them. Siddique et al. show that this behaviour still works at high angles of incidence because of the random height distribution of the pillars.

  • Radwanul Hasan Siddique
  • , Guillaume Gomard
  •  & Hendrik Hölscher

• Article
  22 April 2015 | Open Access

  Accelerated sintering in phase-separating nanostructured alloys

  In sintering, powders of small grains are packed together to form shapes or grain structures that cannot be achieved by melt casting. Here, the authors demonstrate the fast sintering of a nanostructured alloy at low temperatures, preserving its nanoscale grain structure.

  • Mansoo Park
  •  & Christopher A. Schuh

• Article | 23 March 2015

  Formation of nickel cobalt sulfide ball-in-ball hollow spheres with enhanced electrochemical pseudocapacitive properties

  While the synthesis of hollow structures of transition metal oxides is well established, the related sulfide chemistry remains challenging. Here, the authors report the synthesis of nickel cobalt sulfide ball-in-ball hollow spheres, via anion exchange, and evaluate their pseudocapacitive behaviour.

  • Laifa Shen
  • , Le Yu
  •  & Xiong Wen (David) Lou

• Article
  16 March 2015 | Open Access

  Reversed oxygen sensing using colloidal quantum wells towards highly emissive photoresponsive varnishes

  Colloidal quantum wells have great potential as solution-processed light sources. Here, Lorenzon et al. demonstrate that such colloidal quantum wells can also be exploited as luminescent-sensing varnishes capable of detecting chemical agents through their reversible emission response.

  • Monica Lorenzon
  • , Sotirios Christodoulou
  •  & Sergio Brovelli

• Article | 10 March 2015

  Mesoporous bismuth ferrite with amplified magnetoelectric coupling and electric field-induced ferrimagnetism

  Bismuth ferrite is an important room temperature multiferroic material where magnetism and ferroelectricity are coupled. Here, the authors utilize a wet chemical synthesis method to create strained nanoporous bismuth ferrite with enhanced magnetoelectric coupling and elevated magnetic moments.

  • Thomas E. Quickel
  • , Laura T. Schelhas
  •  & Sarah H. Tolbert

• Article | 06 March 2015

  A surface curvature oscillation model for vapour–liquid–solid growth of periodic one-dimensional nanostructures

  Vapour-liquid-solid process is widely used to prepare a variety of one-dimensional nanostructures, but a quantitative understanding of the growth mechanism is missing. Here, Wang et al. show that the surface curvature oscillation of the liquid tip determines the growing process and thus the morphology.

  • Hui Wang
  • , Jian-Tao Wang
  •  & Xiao-Hong Zhang

• Article | 04 March 2015

  Direct growth of large-area graphene and boron nitride heterostructures by a co-segregation method

  Direct growth of graphene on h-BN is desired to improve device performance. Here, the authors demonstrate the direct growth of large-area and continuous graphene/h-BN vertical heterostructures via a co-segregation approach.

  • Chaohua Zhang
  • , Shuli Zhao
  •  & Zhongfan Liu

• Article | 17 February 2015

  Strong interactive growth behaviours in solution-phase synthesis of three-dimensional metal oxide nanostructures

  It has been suggested that the growth rate of nanocrystals is affected by the size and density of surrounding crystals. Here, the authors study the anisotropic growth of zinc oxide nanorod arrays, and show that rod diameter and height are interdependent, and may be affected by local interactions.

  • Jung Min Lee
  • , You-Shin No
  •  & Won Il Park

• Article | 19 January 2015

  Room-temperature exciton coherence and dephasing in two-dimensional nanostructures

  Evidence for exciton coherence in photosynthetic complexes raises questions about whether quantum processes can play a role in biological environments, which are warm and wet. Cassette et al. now demonstrate long-lived electronic coherence in colloidal nanoplatelets in solution and at room temperature.

  • Elsa Cassette
  • , Ryan D. Pensack
  •  & Gregory D. Scholes

• Article
  21 June 2011 | Open Access

  Promotion of water-mediated carbon removal by nanostructured barium oxide/nickel interfaces in solid oxide fuel cells

  Anodes composed of nickel/yttria-stabilized zirconia in solid oxide fuel cells are known to suffer from coking, which reduces their performance. Here, Yang and colleagues report a new barium oxide/nickel anode, which efficiently oxidizes fuel with minimum carbon buildup.

  • Lei Yang
  • , YongMan Choi
  •  & Meilin Liu

• Article | 07 September 2010

  Nanostructural hierarchy increases the strength of aluminium alloys

  Improving the properties of metallic alloys is important to develop new lightweight materials. In this paper, we show that an aluminium (Al) alloy containing a hierarchy of nanostructures in a solid solution with a high density of dislocations is capable of beating strength records for Al alloys while maintaining good ductility.

  • Peter V. Liddicoat
  • , Xiao-Zhou Liao
  •  & Simon P. Ringer

• Article | 17 May 2010

  Fluidic supramolecular nano- and microfibres as molecular rails for regulated movement of nanosubstances

  Microtubules act as molecular tracks for the transport of substances within cells, and have inspired the construction of artificial supramolecular fibres. Here, self-assembled glycol–lipid fibres are shown to be sufficiently fluid to allow directional movement of attached molecules, proteins and nanobeads.

  • Shun-ichi Tamaru
  • , Masato Ikeda
  •  & Itaru Hamachi