Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors
Heifer International



Home > News > Researchers Create "Smart," Switchable Surfaces

October 28th, 2003

Researchers Create "Smart," Switchable Surfaces

Abstract:
Materials researchers at Iowa State University, working in part under a grant from the National Science Foundation, have demonstrated a novel coating that makes surfaces "smart"—meaning the surfaces can be switched back and forth between glassy-slick and rubbery on a scale of nanometers, the size of just a few molecules. Possible applications include the directed assembly of inorganic nanoparticles, proteins, and nanotubes, and the ultra-precise control of liquids flowing through microfluidic devices that are finding their way into biomedical research and clinical diagnostics.

Source:
NSF

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

Discoveries

From sensors to smart systems: the rise of AI-driven photonic noses January 30th, 2026

Decoding hydrogen‑bond network of electrolyte for cryogenic durable aqueous zinc‑ion batteries January 30th, 2026

COF scaffold membrane with gate‑lane nanostructure for efficient Li+/Mg2+ separation January 30th, 2026

Breathing new life into nanotubes for a cooler planet:Researchers at Skoltech discover a simple, single-step heat treatment that nearly doubles the CO2-trapping power of carbon nanotubes January 30th, 2026

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE




  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More











ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project