Bio organisms are the most-complex machines we know, and are capable of achieving demanding functions with great efficiency.
A common theme in these bio-machines is that everything important happens at the level of single molecules – that is, at the nanoscale.
The functionality of these bio-systems relies on self-assembly – that is, molecules interacting precisely and selectively with each other to form well-defined structures. A well-known example of this phenomenon is the double-helix structure of DNA.
Now, inspired by self-assembling bio-systems, an international group of scientists including FLEET physicists has created a new, carbon-based, self-assembled nanomaterial, which could be key to new photovoltaic and catalysis technologies.
Using self-assembly, the researchers were able to engineer, with atomic-scale precision, a new 1-D nanostructure composed of organic (carbon-based) molecules and iron atoms.
The findings are described in two studies published this month in Nature Communications and ACS Nano.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-08-self-assembled-nanostructures-atomically-precise-tailored.html#jCp
Bio organisms are the most-complex machines we know, and are capable of achieving demanding functions with great efficiency.
A common theme in these bio-machines is that everything important happens at the level of single molecules – that is, at the nanoscale.
The functionality of these bio-systems relies on self-assembly – that is, molecules interacting precisely and selectively with each other to form well-defined structures. A well-known example of this phenomenon is the double-helix structure of DNA.
Now, inspired by self-assembling bio-systems, an international group of scientists including FLEET physicists has created a new, carbon-based, self-assembled nanomaterial, which could be key to new photovoltaic and catalysis technologies.
Using self-assembly, the researchers were able to engineer, with atomic-scale precision, a new 1-D nanostructure composed of organic (carbon-based) molecules and iron atoms.
The findings are described in two studies published this month in Nature Communications and ACS Nano.