Abstract: A method for producing an organometallic layer includes providing a substrate having at least a layer with atoms of an oxidizable metal on its surface. The surface is exposed to a fluid that includes organic molecules having at least two functional groups that contain elements of main group VI such that the atoms of the oxidizable metal form a bond with the organic molecules. By consumption of the atoms of oxidizable metal and of the organic molecules, the organometallic layer is formed on the substrate at locations on the surface of the substrate where the atoms of oxizable are disposed, the atoms of oxizable metal being incorporated into the organometallic layer. A thickness of the organometallic layer is determined by a duration of the exposing, a thickness of the layer including the atoms of the oxidizable metal, and the number of organic molecules in the fluid.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of molecules includes bringing into contact with at least one optical grating comprised of a first liquid phase, a second liquid phase which cannot be mixed with the first liquid phase. The first liquid phase is arranged on a substrate in a form of periodic structures having a periodicity ranging from about 190 nm to about 10 ?m. The molecules to be detected, which are capable of changing the optical characteristics of the at least one optical grating are added to the first liquid phase or to the second liquid phase either before, during or after the bringing step. The presence of molecules is detected by measuring a changed reflection or transmission of light at the at least one optical grating or a changing spatial course of the diffraction pattern as soon as the first liquid phase makes contact with the second liquid phase and with the molecules to be detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a switch element. The invention is characterized in that the switch element comprises three electrodes that are located in an electrolyte, two of which (source electrode and drain electrode) are interconnected by a bridge consisting of one or more atoms that can be reversibly opened and closed. The opening and closing of said contact between the source and drain electrodes can be controlled by the potential that is applied to the third electrode (gate electrode). The switch element is produced by the repeated application of potential cycles between the gate electrode and the source or drain electrode. The potential is increased and reduced during the potential cycles until the conductance between the source and drain electrode can be switched back and forth between two conductances, as a result of said change in potential in the gate electrode, as a reproducible function of the voltage of the gate electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a switch element. The invention is characterized in that the switch element comprises three electrodes that are located in an electrolyte, two of which (source electrode and drain electrode) are interconnected by a bridge consisting of one or more atoms that can be reversibly opened and closed. The opening and closing of said contact between the source and drain electrodes can be controlled by the potential that is applied to the third electrode (gate electrode). The switch element is produced by the repeated application of potential cycles between the gate electrode and the source or drain electrode. The potential is increased and reduced during the potential cycles until the conductance between the source and drain electrode can be switched back and forth between two conductances, as a result of said change in potential in the gate electrode, as a reproducible function of the voltage of the gate electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer dispersions comprising A) at least one dispersed polyolefin, B) at least one dispersion component, C) mineral oil and D) at least one glyceryl ester derived from an unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 8 to 30 carbon atoms. The inventive polymer dispersions are notable for very good low-temperature performance. In addition, the polymer dispersions can be prepared in a particularly energy-saving manner. The present invention further relates to processes for the preparation of and to the use of these polymer dispersions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for a location and/or time-dependent alteration of the friction coefficient and/or adhesion force between two bodies, which includes irradiation of one or both contact surfaces between the bodies with radiation, use of the method according to the invention for location and/or time-dependent alteration of the friction coefficient and/or adhesion force between to bodies, a system that includes two bodies in which the friction coefficient and/or the adhesion force between the bodies can be temporarily or permanently altered, and a device for location and/or time-dependent regulation of the friction coefficient and/or adhesion force which includes the system according to the invention and a control unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a switch element. The invention is characterised in that the switch element comprises three electrodes that are located in an electrolyte, two of which (source electrode and drain electrode) are interconnected by a bridge consisting of one or more atoms that can be reversibly opened and closed. The opening and closing of said contact between the source and drain electrodes can be controlled by the potential that is applied to the third electrode (gate electrode). The switch element is produced by the repeated application of potential cycles between the gate electrode and the source or drain electrode. The potential is increased and reduced during the potential cycles until the conductance between the source and drain electrode can be switched back and forth between two conductances, as a result of said change in potential in the gate electrode, as a reproducible function of the voltage of the gate electrode.

Abstract: A method for producing an organometallic layer includes providing a substrate having at least a layer with atoms of an oxidizable metal on its surface. The surface is exposed to a fluid that includes organic molecules having at least two functional groups that contain elements of main group VI such that the atoms of the oxidizable metal form a bond with the organic molecules. By consumption of the atoms of oxidizable metal and of the organic molecules, the organometallic layer is formed on the substrate at locations on the surface of the substrate where the atoms of oxizable are disposed, the atoms of oxizable metal being incorporated into the organometallic layer. A thickness of the organometallic layer is determined by a duration of the exposing, a thickness of the layer including the atoms of the oxidizable metal, and the number of organic molecules in the fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining material properties of a contact formed between a measurement tip of a microscopic probe and a sample surface of a sample material. According to the method, a distance modulation is applied for modulating a distance between a support of the microscopic probe end the sample surface in a direction essentially normal to the sample surface and wherein a normal force signal indicative of a normal force is measured and demodulated. In the method it is proposed that the material properties be determined using measurement data comprised in the demodulated normal force signal and related to a (concave) buckling deformation of the microscopic probe relative to and away from the sample surface.

Abstract: A die for the micro contact printing includes a die body and a die surface that is fixedly connected to the die body. The die surface is divided into at least two different regions. Each of the at least two regions comprises a different material having a different absorption capacity for printing ink. At least one of the at least two regions has a lateral dimension of no more than 1000 nanometers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a switch element. The invention is characterised in that the switch element comprises three electrodes that are located in an electrolyte, two of which (source electrode and drain electrode) are interconnected by a bridge consisting of one or more atoms that can be reversibly opened and closed. The opening and closing of said contact between the source and drain electrodes can be controlled by the potential that is applied to the third electrode (gate electrode). The switch element is produced by the repeated application of potential cycles between the gate electrode and the source or drain electrode. The potential is increased and reduced during the potential cycles until the conductance between the source and drain electrode can be switched back and forth between two conductances, as a result of said change in potential in the gate electrode, as a reproducible function of the voltage of the gate electrode.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for a location and/or time-dependent alteration of the friction coefficient and/or adhesion force between two bodies, which includes irradiation of one or both contact surfaces between the bodies with radiation, use of the method according to the invention for location and/or time-dependent alteration of the friction coefficient and/or adhesion force between to bodies, a system that includes two bodies in which the friction coefficient and/or the adhesion force between the bodies can be temporarily or permanently altered, and a device for location and/or time-dependent regulation of the friction coefficient and/or adhesion force which includes the system according to the invention and a control unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining material properties of a contact formed between a measurement tip of a microscopic probe and a sample surface of a sample material. According to the method, a distance modulation is applied for modulating a distance between a support of the microscopic probe end the sample surface in a direction essentially normal to the sample surface and wherein a normal force signal indicative of a normal force is measured and demodulated. In the method it is proposed that the material properties be determined using measurement data comprised in the demodulated normal force signal and related to a (concave) buckling deformation of the microscopic probe relative to and away from the sample surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing surface-structured substrates, wherein a predetermined defined surface structuring is transferred to the surface of a substrate by activating the substrate surface using at least one fine probe that interacts with the substrate surface, and material of a liquid, solid, or molten salt electrolyte is electrochemically deposited in a selective manner on the regions of the substrate surface that are activated thereby. The invention also relates to a device for surface structuring of substrates.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure: A process useful for information storage is described for the time-stable labeling of individual atoms or groups of atoms in the surface of a solid by locally removing individual atoms or group of atoms from the surface of a solid.

Abstract: A process for the specific, location-selective and time-stable modification of surfaces of solids in the nanometer range without destruction of the atomic order of the surface at the location of the structure or in the vicinity thereof, where a local delamination is caused at the surface of solids having a layered structure due to the action of a local probe. This process is used for the storage of information.

Abstract: A process for the selective modification and reversible removal of extremely fine structures having dimensions of down to the nanometer and subnanometer range from the surface of a solid, comprises moving the fine tip of a probe, for example a surface-sensitive scanning probe, which is located at a distance in the .ANG.ngstrom range above the surface or is in contact with the surface, over the structure at essentially the same height and thus causing a change in this structure.

Abstract: In a process for the performance of location-selective catalytic reactions with or on the surfaces of solids in the nanometer or subnanometer range, the surface in question is chemically modified by means of a surface-sensitive scanning probe containing the catalytic material. This process is used for information storage.

Abstract: A process useful for the reversible storage of information units involves the targeted, positionally selective and time-stable labeling of individual atomic positions or groups of such positions on the surface of a solid by chemical reaction with foreign atoms or molecules or by chemisorption, with the lateral atomic order of the surface in each case being retained, even on a local level.