Biologically Enabled Syntheses of Nanostructured 3-D Sensor Materials: the Potential for 3-D Genetically Engineered Microdevices (3-D GEMs)

摘要

Three-dimensional (3-D) self-assembly of nanos-tructures and nanodevices on a large scale remains a grand quest for mankind. Freestanding nanostructured assemblies with controlled 3-D shapes can exhibit attractive properties for sensor and other applications. Protocols for 3-D self-assembly that can be scaled up for mass production on a large (up to tonnage) scale, while preserving morphological features on a small (down to nanometer) scale, are needed to allow for widespread use of 3-D nanostructures in advanced devices. However, these often conflicting requirements of scalability and precision pose a difficult challenge for synthetic (man-made) processing routes.