Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that performs molecular assembly. During operation, the system delivers one or more droplets of a fluid onto a surface using a nanofluidic delivery probe and an associated high-precision positioning device, wherein the solution comprises a solvent and one or more solute molecules, and wherein delivery of the droplets onto the surface facilitates evaporation-driven assembly of one or more structures on the surface. Moreover, while delivering a droplet onto the surface, the system controls a size of the droplet and a shape of the droplet during evaporation to produce a variety of shapes in resulting structures.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a read/write head having a tip connected to a resistive path locally exerting heat at the tip when an electrical current is applied; and a data storage medium from which information is reproduced by scanning a surface of the medium with a tip positioned in contact therewith, the medium comprising: a substrate; and a polymer recording surface within which data bit values are determined by the topographical state at the bit location, characterized in that the polymer contains thermally reversible crosslinkages.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a read/write head having a tip connected to a resistive path locally exerting heat at the tip when an electrical current is applied; and a data storage medium from which information is reproduced by scanning a surface of the medium with a tip positioned in contact therewith, the medium comprising: a substrate; and a polymer recording surface within which data bit values are determined by the topographical state at the bit location, characterized in that the polymer contains thermally reversible crosslinkages.

Abstract: A method reading, writing, and erasing data includes bringing a thermal-mechanical probe into proximity with a layer of cross-linked polymeric material to induce a deformed region at a point in the film, thereby writing information; bringing a thermal-mechanical probe into proximity with the deformed region, thereby reading information; and bringing a thermal-mechanical probe into proximity with the deformed region, further deforming it in such a way to eliminate the deformed region, thereby erasing the information; and repeating the storing, reading, and erasing steps at points in the film.

Abstract: A data storage medium is disclosed from which information is reproduced by scanning a surface of the medium with a tip positioned in contact therewith. The medium includes a substrate and a polymer recording surface within which data bit values are determined by the topographical state at the bit location. The polymer contains thermally reversible crosslinkages.

Abstract: An approach is presented for designing a polymeric layer for nanometer scale thermo-mechanical storage devices. Cross-linked polyimide oligomers are used as the recording layers in atomic force data storage device, giving significantly improved performance when compared to previously reported cross-linked and linear polymers. The cross-linking of the polyimide oligomers may be tuned to match thermal and force parameters required in read-write-erase cycles. Additionally, the cross-linked polyimide oligomers are suitable for use in nano-scale imaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating molecules comprises placing different kinds of molecular species onto a probe; and introducing an electric field between the probe and a surface in proximity with the probe so that the different kinds of molecular species may be separated, wherein the different kinds of molecular species have differing mobilities, and wherein the different kinds of molecular species may be separated according to their differing mobilities, such that molecular species that have different mobilities migrate along the probe at different speeds towards the surface. The molecular species may comprise molecules. Alternatively, the molecular species may comprise molecular assemblies, wherein the molecular assemblies may comprise at least one of cells, bacteria, and viruses.

Abstract: A resist medium in which features are lithographically produced by scanning a surface of the medium with an AFM probe positioned in contact therewith. The resist medium comprises a substrate; and a polymer resist layer within which features are produced by mechanical action of the probe. The polymer contains thermally reversible crosslinkages.

Abstract: A data storage medium from which information is reproduced by scanning a surface of the medium with a probe-based tip, such as an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) tip positioned in contact therewith. The medium comprises a substrate; and a polymer recording surface within which data bit values are determined by the topographical state at the bit location. The polymer contains thermally reversible crosslinkages. The data bit value is a function of the depth of the pit at the bit location.

Abstract: An approach is presented for designing the polymeric recording layer for nanometer scale thermomechanical storage devices. Cross linked polymers are used as the recording layers in atomic force microscopy data storage devices, giving significantly improved performance when compared to the previously reported linear polymers. This results in superior wear resistance and enhanced erasing, critical features for the long-term multiple read-write cycles of such thermomechanical storage devices. In addition, this ability to introduce a predetermined extent of cross linking allows fine tuning of the thermal and force parameters in the R/W/E (read-write-erase) cycles.