Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of activating a silicon surface for subsequent patterning of molecules onto said surface, and to patterns produced by this method, and further to uses of said pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a film of nanoparticles interlinked with each other using a polyfunctional linker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a nanowire crossbar structure, comprising: (a) providing a substrate; (b) depositing thereon a composite structure comprising a nucleic acid-block copolymer having equidistant nucleic acid-catalyst binding sites and at least one catalyst nanoparticle functionalized to bind specifically to nucleic acid segments of the copolymer; (c) applying a directed gas flow and/or an alternating electric field onto the composite structure; and (d) applying chemical vapor deposition techniques, a use of such a structure and a structure obtainable by such a method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carbon nanotube composite material, to methods of its production and to uses of such composite material.

Abstract: A functional device which is composed of a nanometer-sized functional structure, which can reduce connection resistance in connecting the functional structure to an external electrode, and which includes a wiring section capable of minimizing constraints given to structural designs of various functional structures, and a method of manufacturing it are provided. A functional device in which a functional structure having contained sections in positions spaced from each other is retained by a carbon nanotube. A gap is formed in the carbon nanotube, and the carbon nanotube is segmented into a first carbon nanotube and a second carbon nanotube by the gap. One of the contained sections is contained in the first carbon nanotube at an opening of the first carbon nanotube facing the gap, and the other of the contained sections is contained in the second carbon nanotube at an opening of the second carbon nanotube facing the gap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of patterning molecules on a substrate using a micro-contact printing process, to a substrate produced by said method and to uses of said substrate. It also relates to a device for performing the method according to the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanoparticle film comprising a nanoparticle network formed of nanoparticles interlinked by linker molecules. The linker molecules have at least two linker units that can bind to the surface of the nanoparticles. By introducing selectivity-enhancing units in the linker molecule, the selectivity of the nanoparticle film towards target analytes can be enhanced. A fine-tuning of the selectivity can be achieved by including a fine-tuning unit in the vicinity of the selectivity-enhancing unit. The nanoparticle film can be used to produce chemical sensors which are selective and stable in their performance.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the linker molecules comprising one or more nucleic acid binding group and one or more nanoparticle binding group which are connected covalently by a spacer group. The problem underlying the present invention is to provide methods for the controlled and selective metallisation of nucleic acids, the production of nanowires which may be used, e. g., in the formation of electronic networks and circuits allowing a high density arrangement, and the components of devices that may be incorporated in such networks and circuits. This problem is solved by a linker molecule which comprises one or more nucleic acid binding group(s) and one or more nanoparticle binding group(s) which are connected covalently by a spacer group. Such linkers can be used for the manufacture of nucleic acid/linker conjugates, nanoparticle/linker conjugates, and nanoparticle/linker/nucleic acid composites and further nanowires, electronic networks, electronic circuits and junctions comprising said nanowires.

Abstract: The present invention relates to molecules exhibiting rectifying properties. In particular, the present invention relates to a molecular rectifying assembly, comprising the general structure METAL1-CON1-BRIDGE-CON2-METAL2 in which CON1 and CON2 are a connecting group or connecting part and independently of each other are molecular groups bound to METAL1,2 in such a way that an adsorbate state with an energy close to the Fermi energy of the metal is formed at one or both of the METAL1,2/CON1,2 interfaces, METAL is selected from metals and/or alloys of metals, and BRIDGE is the core of the molecule, consisting of pi-conjugated and non-conjugated parts. Furthermore, the present invention relates to uses of said molecular rectifying assembly or the production of electronic devices where molecules are placed between at least two electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to tuned multifunctional linker molecules for charge transport through organic-inorganic composite structures. The problem underlying the present invention is to provide multifunctional linker molecules for tuning the conductivity in nanoparticle-linker assemblies which can be used in the formation of electronic networks and circuits and thin films of nanoparticles. The problem is solved according to the invention by providing a multifunctional linker molecule of the general structure CON1-FUNC1-X-FUNC2-CON2 in which X is the central body of the molecule, FUNC1 and FUNC2 independently of each other are molecular groups introducing a dipole moment and/or capable of forming intermolecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonding networks, and CON 1 and CON 2 independently of each other are molecular groups binding to nanostructured units comprising metal and semiconductor materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to tuned multifunctional linker molecules for charge transport through organic-inorganic composite structures. The problem underlying the present invention is to provide multifunctional linker molecules for tuning the conductivity in nanoparticle-linker assemblies which can be used in the formation of electronic networks and circuits and thin films of nanoparticles. The problem is solved according to the invention by providing a multifunctional linker molecule of the general structure CON1—FUNC1—X—FUNC2—CON2 in which X is the central body of the molecule, FUNC1 and FUNC2 independently of each other are molecular groups introducing a dipole moment and/or capable of forming intermolecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonding networks, and CON1and CON2 independently of each other are molecular groups binding to nanostructured units comprising metal and semiconductor materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stamp for soft lithography. It also relates to a method of preparing a stamp for soft lithography, in particular micro contact printing, and to uses of such stamp.

Abstract: The invention relates to tuned multifunctional linker molecules for charge transport through organic-inorganic composite structures. The problem underlying the present invention is to provide multifunctional linker molecules for tuning the conductivity in nanoparticle-linker assemblies which can be used in the formation of electronic networks and circuits and thin films of nanoparticles. The problem is solved according to the invention by providing a multifunctional linker molecule of the general structure CON1-FUNC1-X-FUNC2-CON2 in which X is the central body of the molecule, FUNC1 and FUNC2 independently of each other are molecular groups introducing a dipole moment and/or capable of forming intermolecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonding networks, and CON1 and CON2 independently of each other are molecular groups binding to nanostructured units comprising metal and semiconductor materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to tuned multifunctional linker molecules for charge transport through organic-inorganic composite structures. The problem underlying the present invention is to provide multifunctional linker molecules for tuning the conductivity in nanoparticle-linker assemblies which can be used in the formation of electronic networks and circuits and thin films of nanoparticles. The problem is solved according to the invention by providing a multi-functional linker molecule of the general structure CON1-FUNC1-X-FUNC2-CON2 in which X is the central body of the molecule, FUNC1 and FUNC2 independently of each other are molecular groups introducing a dipole moment and/or capable of forming intermolecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonding networks, and CON1 and CON2 independently of each other are molecular groups binding to nanostructured units comprising metal and semiconductor materials.

Abstract: A method of solubilizing carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes, and urea are mixed together and then heated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of activating a silicon surface for subsequent patterning of molecules onto said surface, and to patterns produced by this method, and further to uses of said pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for defect and conductivity engineering of an individual part in a conducting nanoscaled structure by generating heat-induced migration, melting, sputtering and/or evaporation of conductive material of the nanoscaled structure by directing a focussed electron beam on this individual part of the structure to be engineered. The invention further relates to the use of a secondary electron microscope having a filter for detecting back scattered electrons for such a method and a respective secondary electron microscope having such a filter for detecting back scattered electrons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the metallization of nucleic acids, comprising providing tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine-Au (THP-Au) particles or derivatives thereof, binding said THP-Au particles to a nucleic acid to produce a metal nanoparticle-nucleic acid composite, and treatment of the metal nanoparticle-nucleic acid composite with an electroless plating solution. The invention further relates to a metallized nucleic acid obtainable according to such a method and a nanowire including a method for the manufacture of a nanowire.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of immobilizing and stretching a nucleic acid on a silicon substrate, to nucleic acids and substrates prepared according to this method, to uses of the method and to uses of the nucleic acid and the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for immobilization of nucleic acid molecules on a substrate, wherein the substrate is treated with atomic oxygen plasma prior to immobilizing the nucleic acid molecules thereon. The invention is further related to immobilized nucleic acid molecules and uses thereof.