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Monday, 22nd June 2009 (935 views)

Scientists have succeeded in using nanoparticles to create self-assembling bridges for the first time.

Researchers at the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Twente in the Netherlands utilised a 'supramolecular glue' made from gold and so-called dendrimers in the development process.

The work, which has been published in the nanotechnology journal Small, involved employing the glue to help nanoparticles fall into place correctly without assistance, with the first structures being constructed from gold and polystyrene.

It is hoped that the breakthrough, which was made by teams led by Professor Jurriaan Huskens and Professor Julius Vancso, will be beneficial to the production of optical filters and microelectronics, where the bridges could be used as sensors.

Elsewhere in the nanotechnology sector, scientists in the US recently discovered a way of measuring the conducting abilities of ferroelectric materials, which could be of use to the electronics industry.

 

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