Hierarchically patterned polyurethane microgrooves featuring nanopillars or nanoholes for neurite elongation and alignment

• Lester Uy Vinzons,
• Guo-Chung Dong and
• Shu-Ping Lin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1157–1168, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.96

• hierarchically structured microgrooves featuring nanopillars or nanoholes. Moreover, we found that replica molding using nano-/microstructured photoresist masters is a non-trivial step and requires specific “photoresist reinforcement” strategies to overcome inherent photoresist issues. Overall, our work

• crosslinked the imprinted SU-8 layer (Figure 1A(vi) and (vii)), resulting in a “reinforced” nanohole array (Figure 1A (viii)). Using these “reinforced” photoresist masters, PDMS replica molding and PU solvent casting allowed for the creation of the PU nanopillar and nanohole substrates (Figure 1B and

• seems necessary for more consistent results in the future.) As with the SU-8 nanopillar array, a “reinforcement” step consisting of hard-baking in cured PDMS (Figure 3A(iii)) was necessary for the pillar–groove master to prevent breakage of the nanopillars (Figure 3A(iv)). After PDMS replica molding and

Increasing the stability of DNA nanostructure templates by atomic layer deposition of Al₂O₃ and its application in imprinting lithography

• Hyojeong Kim,
• Kristin Arbutina,
• Anqin Xu and
• Haitao Liu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 2363–2375, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.236

• resistive to UV/O3 oxidation. The ALD-coated DNA templates were used for a direct pattern transfer to poly(L-lactic acid) films. Keywords: aluminium oxide (Al2O3); atomic layer deposition; DNA nanostructure; nanofabrication; nanoimprint lithography; pattern transfer; polymer stamp; replica molding

Nano- and microstructured materials for in vitro studies of the physiology of vascular cells

• Alexandra M. Greiner,
• Adria Sales,
• Hao Chen,
• Sarah A. Biela,
• Dieter Kaufmann and
• Ralf Kemkemer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 1620–1641, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.155

• order to give an overview of different microfabrication techniques, relevant examples for different approaches such as optical (photolithography [49]), mechanical (hot embossing [50] and surface cracking [51][52]) or chemical (replica molding [53][54], phase separation micromolding [55][56][57], gas

• form the topography of the features in the plastic. Similar to replica molding in soft lithography, features down to around 10 nm can be replicated. Like soft lithography hot embossing is a cheap method suitable for large-scale manufacturing of substrates [50]. In principle, it can be used with many

• cell adaptation to dynamic changes of the substrate topography [51][52]. Replica molding is a soft lithography technique that uses an elastomeric soft material to replicate patterns (Figure 4B) [53][54]. With that method mainly micrometer-sized topographies are produced in the elastomer. Structures

Self-assembled monolayers and titanium dioxide: From surface patterning to potential applications

• Yaron Paz

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 845–861, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.94

• SAMs are transferred from stamps of a polymer (for example poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)) onto oxide substrates upon contact between the stamps and the substrate. Other so-called “soft-lithography” methods (replica molding, microtransfer molding, micromolding in capillaries, and solvent-assisted