Wednesday, 25th May 2005 (4633 views)

Scientists in the US have discovered a new technique using marine sponge and gold nanoparticles to help research in the design of new materials.

The team from the University of California in Santa Barbara, have developed a method using small synthetic molecules similar to those found at the active centre of the bio-catalyst of the marine sponge.

These molecules are then placed on the surfaces of gold nanoparticles.

Once both are placed together, each bearing half of the catalytic site, they then work just as the natural biological catalyst does at low temperatures.

It is hoped findings can be used to apply nature's production methods in the biological world for practical methods for the development of new materials in labs.

Now the scientists are trying to incorporate catalytic components on the flat surface of silicon wafers and use the techniques to create nanoscale patterns of their catalyst. In addition, they are learning how to write nanoscale features of semi-conductors on chip surfaces.

At present it is unsure whether the methods could be used on an industrial scale, but it could help towards setting up a practical and low-cost manufacturing method initially and then move onto industrial use in the future.

 

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