Wiring up single molecules for electrical characterization remains highly challenging. A recent study demonstrates the lifting of single-molecule chains by the end off a conducting surface using a scanning tunneling microscope tip (see image). During this vertical manipulation, the conductance through the metal–molecule–metal junction is measured as a function of length.

Nonspherical colloidosomes with multiple compartments are generated using water-in-oil-in-water double emulsions with controlled morphology as templates (see image). Double emulsions are prepared using a glass capillary microfluidic device that provides a precise means to control the number of internal aqueous droplets and the volume ratio of oil and aqueous phases.

The open ends of oxide nanotubes (NTs) can be sealed with silica at room temperature and pressure after incorporation of desired materials into the NTs, the payload volume of which is adjustable (see picture for the case of fluorophores). This process originates from a synergetic reaction of capillary-condensed water and silicon reactants, which rapidly produces silica at the ends of the NTs.

DNA origami structures are selectively immobilized onto lithographically patterned features with nanometer-scale precision, and these pre-positioned origami scaffolds are subsequently utilized as a template to deterministically deliver gold nanoparticles to specific locations within the origami.

A simple change of counteranions in catalytic templates for biomimetic silicification on surfaces dictates the size of silica nanostructures formed. It is found that the charge density of the counteranions plays an important role in controlling the structures of both templates and silica in the biomimetic silicification on surfaces (see image; scale bar = 500 nm).

Guanine molecules adsorbed on the Au(111) surface at room temperature are observed to form a heterochiral phase consisting of two homochiral G-quartet networks (see image, left). By annealing the sample at 400 K the R and L homochiral G-quartet networks are found to irreversibly transform to a heterochiral G-quartet network including both R and L G-quartets in an equal amount (see image, right).

Hierarchical microstructure and magnetic anisotropy of peanut-shaped colloids promotes a permanent transverse magnetic dipole, leading to rich self-assembly behavior. Crisscross and planar zigzag chains (see image; scale bar = 2 µm in A and 5 µm in B), as well as a molecular crystal-type phase with oblique symmetry in 2D are observed.

The rodlike virus M13 phage is nontoxic to humans. Its tip can be engineered to recognize a specific target and at the same time its sidewall can be engineered to electrostatically assemble drug-loaded liposomes (see picture). The phage–liposome complex forms a drug carrier that can be internalized in breast cancer cells and used in photodynamic therapy.

Crosslinked metal nanoparticles can be under-etched and lifted off the supporting surface to give free-floating films of areas up to several square centimeters. These films can be subsequently transferred onto curvilinear or microstructured supports. Films deposited onto PDMS stamps can be further microprinted (including sequential printing of various types of films) onto target substrates.

Self-assembly of nanoparticles on liquid-metal droplets (see image) provides a simple, effective approach to electronic devices with nanoscale control of the metal/nanoparticle junctions. This approach enables the inexpensive fabrication of a large number of devices and deposition on large-area substrates.

Form follows mechanism: The nanoscale morphology of W/Mo oxides can be controlled through alkali chlorides as inorganic additives that shape the particles in a versatile and efficient manner. The mechanistic pathways leading to the different morphologies are investigated by in situ energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (see picture), and reveal new insights into hydrothermal reactions.

A microfluidic system is used to create separated basal and apical cellular domain stimulation for long time periods. The lower channels of the fluidic system deliver chemicals to the basal membrane with spatial specificity. This technique can precisely manipulate distinct spatial regions of a single cell by delivering different fluids to different subcellular domains (see image; scale bar =20 µm).

Surface-charge measurements of mammalian cells in terms of Zeta potential are demonstrated as a useful biological characteristic in identifying cellular interactions with specific nanomaterials (see image). The results show a distinct pattern of Zeta-potential change that allows the discrimination of human normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A) from human cancer breast epithelial cells.

A solution-phase synthesis method is developed to produce monodisperse, biocompatible, lysine crosslinked mercaptoundecanoic acid near-infrared quantum dots (QDs) for in vivo bioimaging applications (see image). The functionalized QDs are used as probes for long-term in vivo distribution, clearance, and nanotoxicity studies. No ill observational or histological effects are observed in the mice receiveing QDs at concentrations as high as 10.5 mg kg⁻¹.

An extrinsic mechanism, such as desorption of oxygen species or charge injection from a surrounding photoactive polymer, dominates the response of graphene transistors to illumination by visible light (see picture). The large cross section for receiving photons and the capability of tailoring photoelectrical properties are useful for optoelectronic applications.

The fluorescence of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) is quenched with a blue-shift on addition of KMnO₄ and is recovered on addition of ascorbic acid through a redox process (see picture). The recovered fluorescence of the QDs increases linearly with the concentration of ascorbic acid. A QD-based turn-on fluorescent probe is obtained for the detection of ascorbic acid in biological fluids with a detection limit of 74 nM.