Abstract: In one embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; and a monolayer of nanoparticles positioned above the substrate, where the nanoparticles are each grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, and where each of the polymers and/or oligomers includes at least a first functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles. In another embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; a structured layer positioned above the substrate, the structured layer comprising a plurality of nucleation regions and a plurality of non-nucleation regions; and a crystalline layer positioned above the structured layer, where the plurality of nucleation regions have a pitch in a range between about 5 nm to about 20 nm.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; and a monolayer of nanoparticles positioned above the substrate, where the nanoparticles are each grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, and where each of the polymers and/or oligomers includes at least a first functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles. In another embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; a structured layer positioned above the substrate, the structured layer comprising a plurality of nucleation regions and a plurality of non-nucleation regions; and a crystalline layer positioned above the structured layer, where the plurality of nucleation regions have a pitch in a range between about 5 nm to about 20 nm.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a substantially monodisperse lubricant includes: providing a plurality of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) precursors, each PFPE precursor including two end segments and a PFPE backbone disposed therebetween; protecting one of the end segments of each PFPE precursor with one or more protecting agents to form a plurality of mono-protected PFPE precursors, each mono-protected PFPE precursor including a protected end segment and an unprotected end segment; and coupling the unprotected end segment of each of the mono-protected PFPE precursors to the unprotected end segment of another of the mono-protected PFPE precursors via a coupling agent to form multidentate PFPE structures.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; and a monolayer of nanoparticles positioned above the substrate, where the nanoparticles are each grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, and where each of the polymers and/or oligomers includes at least a first functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles. In another embodiment, a structure includes: a substrate; a structured layer positioned above the substrate, the structured layer comprising a plurality of nucleation regions and a plurality of non-nucleation regions; and a crystalline layer positioned above the structured layer, where the plurality of nucleation regions have a pitch in a range between about 5 nm to about 20 nm.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes: depositing a plurality of nanoparticles on a substrate; and forming a monolayer of the nanoparticles on the substrate via self-assembly, where each of the nanoparticles comprises a nanoparticle core grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, where each of the polymers and/or oligomers includes at least a first functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles. In another embodiment, a method includes: depositing a plurality of nanoparticles on a substrate; and forming a monolayer of the nanoparticles on the substrate via self-assembly, where the nanoparticles each comprise a nanoparticle core grafted to one or more oligomers and/or polymers, each of the polymers and/or oligomers including a first terminal functional group configured to bind to the nanoparticles, and an optional second terminal functional group configured to bind to the substrate, where the substrate comprises guiding features configured to direct the self-assembly of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a substantially monodisperse lubricant includes: providing a plurality of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) precursors, each PFPE precursor including two end segments and a PFPE backbone disposed therebetween; protecting one of the end segments of each PFPE precursor with one or more protecting agents to form a plurality of mono-protected PFPE precursors, each mono-protected PFPE precursor including a protected end segment and an unprotected end segment; and coupling the unprotected end segment of each of the mono-protected PFPE precursors to the unprotected end segment of another of the mono-protected PFPE precursors via a coupling agent to form multidentate PFPE structures.