Abstract: Various kinds of nanostructured particles like nanorice and nanospears (i.e., tapered nanorods) are made using polymer nanospheres and ordered porous templates. For example, cylindrical nanopores of anodized alumina membranes are filled with polymer nanoparticles by a solvent assisted nanoinjection. Then the membranes are heated in an oven above the glass transition temperature of the polymer. The nanoparticles coalesce to form nanorods with a controlled aspect ratio and terminal contour. The terminal contour can be shaped in the form of nanorice, nanospears or tapered nanorods.

Abstract: Processes for creating versatile and selective metal patterns (such as copper and nickel) combine the use of PEM coatings, microcontact printing (MCP), and electroless deposition. MCP is used to pattern a charged catalyst (such as palladium and stannous ions) onto oppositely charged PEM coated substrates. The substrate is then placed into an electroless deposition bath where a metal selectively plates at the catalyzed regions.

Abstract: A method for selectively removing a resist material from the polycationic surface of a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) film, without disturbing adhering interactions between the cationic film surface and bound biomaterials such as cells, proteins, and nucleic acids. The resist material is one that that inhibits or prevents the further deposition of cells or other biomaterial; it thus masks the cationic surface from application of biomaterials. In one embodiment the resist material is a carboxy functional oxyalkylene oligomer. It is removed by exposing the film containing the bound biomaterial and the bound resist material to a pH below 4.5, and/or to a salt concentration of higher than 0.01 M.