Gradient fabrication to direct transport on a surface
AssigneeNorth Carolina State University
InventorsChristopher B. Gorman, Daniel L. Feldheim, Ryan R. Fuierer
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Abstract
The present invention discloses gradients and methods of forming gradients. The gradients can form a component of a molecular machine, such as those disclosed herein. The molecular machines of the present invention can perform a range of tasks including nanoparticle heterostructure assembly, derivatization of a nanoparticle and synthesis of biomolecules, to name just a few applications.
Claims112
A gradient disposed on a surface adapted to transport a fluid or a non-fluid, the gradient comprising:
- (a) a surface;
- and
- (b) a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) disposed on the surface, the SAM comprising a patterning material, the patterning material being disposed on the surface so as to define:
- (i) a first region defining an area of high driving force with respect to an interaction with a material to be transported;
- (ii) a second region defining an area of low driving force with respect to an interaction with a material to be transported;
- and
- (iii) a third region defining a region of diffuse driving force with respect to an interaction with a material to be transported, the third region being contiguous with the first and second regions.
A gradient adapted to transport a fluid or a non-fluid, the gradient comprising:
- (a) a surface;
- and
- (b) a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) disposed on the surface, the SAM comprising a patterning material that is adapted to vary in driving force in response to a stimulus.
A method of making a gradient on a surface, the method comprising:
- (a) disposing a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a surface;
- and
- (b) distributing a patterning material in the SAM, the patterning material defining a gradient on the surface.
A method of making a gradient on a surface by microcontact printing, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a surface;
- (b) providing an application component;
- (c) contacting the application component with a patterning material to form a coated application component;
- (d) sequentially and continuously contacting the coated application component with contiguous regions of the surface until the patterning material is transferred from the application component to the surface.
A method of making a gradient on a surface by vapor diffusion, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a surface maintained at a set of one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of pressure, pH, temperature and combinations thereof;
- (b) positioning a plug comprising a volatile patterning material proximate to the surface;
- and
- (c) varying the one or more conditions to thereby deposit variable concentrations of the patterning material at different points on the surface.
A method of forming a gradient on a surface, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a surface comprising a monolayer;
- (b) positioning an scanning tunneling microscope tip disposed in a solvent comprising a patterning material above the monolayer;
- and
- (c) rastering the scanning tunneling microscope tip in a desired pattern of lines while varying one or more of the surface-tip bias, the scan rate and the spacing between lines.
A molecular machine for assembling a nanoparticle heterostructure, the molecular machine comprising:
- (a) two or more reservoirs, each reservoir comprising a quantity of nanoparticles;
- (b) a reaction region;
- (c) two or more independently operable gate structures in communication with the two or more reservoirs and the reaction region;
- and
- (d) two or more dynamic gradient tracks, each in communication with an independently operable gate structure and the reaction region, the two or more dynamic gradient tracks comprising one or more regions of variable driving force.
A molecular machine for assembling a particle, the molecular machine comprising:
- (a) two or more reservoirs comprising reaction components;
- (b) two or more independently operable gate structures in communication with the two or more reservoirs of components;
- (c) a reactor zone wherein a particle is assembled;
- (d) two or more static gradient tracks, each static gradient track communicating with one of the two or more independently operable gate structures and the reactor zone, the two or more static gradient tracks comprising fixed regions of high and low driving force;
- (e) an output track comprising a static gradient directing an assembled particle away from the reactor zone;
- and
- (f) an independently operable gate structure in communication With the output track and the reactor zone.
A molecular machine for synthesizing a structure, the molecular machine comprising:
- (a) a reservoir comprising a starting material;
- (b) two or more reaction sites;
- (c) two or more dynamic gradient tracks, each in communication with the two or more reaction sites, the two or more dynamic gradient tracks comprising regions of variable driving force and each reaction site comprising a reaction component;
- (d) an output track comprising a dynamic gradient track comprising a region of variable driving force and adapted to direct a completed structure away from a reaction site;
- and
- (e) an independently operable gate structure in communication with the output track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.