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US 7,611,619 B2Granted
Electrochemical miniaturization of organic micro-and nanostructures
AssigneeNorthwestern University
InventorsChad A. Mirkin, Yi Zhang, Khalid Salaita
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AssigneeNorthwestern University
InventorsChad A. Mirkin, Yi Zhang, Khalid Salaita
Estimating the term…
The invention provides a simple and convenient strategy for reducing the dimensions of organic micro- and nanostructures on metal surfaces. By varying electrochemical desorption conditions, organic structures patterned by Dip-Pen Nanolithography or any of the micro-contact printing procedures can be gradually desorbed in a controlled fashion. The electrochemical desorption is initiated at the exterior of the feature and moves inward as a function of time. The desorption process and adsorbate desorption are modified and controlled as a function of substrate morphology, adsorbate head and tail groups, and electrolyte solvent and salt. Different nanostructures made of different adsorbates can be miniaturized based upon judicious selection of adsorbate and supporting electrolyte.
A method of miniaturizing the size of an organic structure on a substrate comprising applying an electrical potential to the substrate whereby the organic structure is electrochemically desorbed from the outside of the organic structure.
A method of miniaturizing the size of an organic structure fabricated on a substrate by process selected from the group consisting of Dip Pen Nanolithography, printing, stamping, photolithography and combinations thereof, comprising applying an electrical potential to the substrate whereby the organic structure is electrochemically desorbed from the outside of the organic structure.
A method of miniaturizing the size of a first organic structure in the presence of a second organic structure on a substrate comprising applying an electrical potential to the substrate whereby the first organic structure is electrochemically desorbed from the outside of the organic structure without negatively affecting the second organic structure.
A method of miniaturizing the size of organic structures on a substrate comprising:
A method of forming organic structures on a conductive substrate comprising:
A method of forming organic structures on a conductive substrate comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.