Dielectrophoretic Trapping for Single Molecule Nanowire Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current molecular electronics technologies face challenges in efficiently assembling single molecules into functional circuits and rapidly directing them into nano-circuits for effective molecular sensing, particularly in forming conductive bridges between nanoelectrodes.
Innovation Solution
The use of dielectrophoretic trapping to position and assemble single molecule dumbbell complexes, comprising a molecular wire joined to gold nanoparticles, between nanoelectrodes, enabling rapid and efficient assembly of molecular electronic circuits on CMOS chip-based sensor arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If passive diffusion or voltage driven approaches are used to assemble molecular wires into circuits, then molecular electronic circuits can be formed, but the assembly process is slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-functionalizing molecules with specific groups (e.g., carboxyl, amine, thiol) that enable selective binding to electrode surfaces. This pre-preparation allows molecules to be ready for rapid assembly into circuits, eliminating the need for slow diffusion processes and significantly improving assembly productivity while reducing time loss.
2Manufacturing precision
If single molecules are placed into circuits to act as functional elements, then molecular sensing can be achieved, but the process lacks precision in positioning and assembling molecules into functional circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses intermediary molecules with specific functional groups that mediate between the electrode surfaces and the molecular wires. These intermediaries provide precise positioning through selective chemical binding, ensuring molecules are correctly oriented and placed in functional circuits. This approach achieves high manufacturing precision while maintaining relatively simple assembly processes by relying on spontaneous chemical recognition rather than complex manipulation procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the rapid and efficient formation of single-molecule molecular electronic circuits, enhancing conductivity monitoring and enabling applications such as DNA sequencing and analyte detection, with the ability to optimize trapping parameters for diverse biomolecules.
Implementation Method 1
positioned to span a gap between a complementary pair of nanoelectrodes in a dielectrophoretic trap
Implementation Method 2
forming conductive bridges between nanoelectrodes
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments relate to nanotechnology and to nano-electronics and molecular electronic sensors. In an exemplary embodiment, a nano-sensor having a nanoparticle complex attached at each end to a respective nano-electrode. An exemplary nanoparticle complex includes a biomolecule coupled at each end to a metallic nanoparticle to form a dumbbell-shaped molecular bridge. A method to manufacture single molecule dumbbell nanowires for forming conductive molecular bridges includes the steps of: providing a double-stranded nucleic acid with terminal 3′ thiol modification on both the strands conjugated to a gold (Au) nanoparticle (AuNP) on each end; purifying single biomolecule dumbbells from aggregates using size-exclusion chromatography; imaging the eluted products by electron microscopy to validate formation of single molecule dumbbells; trapping a single molecule dumbbell between a pair of nanoelectrodes on a substrate, the electrodes separated by a nanogap; and measuring the conductivity of a trapped single molecule dumbbell.