The controlled synthesis of materials by methods that permit their assembly into functional nanoscale structures lies at the crux emerging field nanotechnology. Although only one several families is interest, carbon-based nanostructured continue to attract a disproportionate share research effort, in part because wide-ranging properties. Additionally, developments past decade carbon nanotubes and nanofibers have opened additional possibilities for use as elements numerous applications....

An integrated system for rapid PCR-based analysis on a microchip has been demonstrated. The couples compact thermal cycling assembly based dual Peltier thermoelectric elements with gel electrophoresis platform. This configuration allows fast (∼1 min/cycle) and efficient DNA amplification on-chip followed by electrophoretic sizing detection the same chip. concentration technique incorporated into to further reduce time decreasing number of cycles required. injection scheme enables PCR...

Microfabricated devices for parallel and serial mixing of fluids are demonstrated. To simplify the voltage control hardware, electrokinetic is effected using a single source with channels dimensioned to perform desired division. In addition, number fluid reservoirs reduced by terminating multiple buffer, sample, or analysis in reservoirs. The device designed series independent T-intersections, based on an array cross intersections sample shunting. These were tested buffer dilution...

We demonstrate the integration of vertically aligned carbon nanofibre (VACNF) elements with intracellular domains viable cells for controlled biochemical manipulation. Deterministically synthesized VACNFs were modified either adsorbed or covalently-linked plasmid DNA and subsequently inserted into cells. Post insertion viability was demonstrated by continued proliferation interfaced long-term (> 22 day) expression introduced plasmid. Adsorbed plasmids typically desorbed in domain segregated...

Carbon nanofibers are high-aspect ratio graphitic materials that have been investigated for numerous applications due to their unique physical properties such as high strength, low density, metallic conductivity, tunable morphology, chemical and environmental stabilities, well compatibility with organochemical modification. Surface studies extremely important nanomaterials because not only is the surface structurally chemically quite different from bulk, but its tend dominate at nanoscale...

The penetration and residence of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNF) within live cell matrices is demonstrated upon substrates that incorporate spatially registered indices to facilitate temporal tracking individual cells. Penetration DNA-modified into cells using this platform provides efficient delivery expression exogenous genes, similar "microinjection"-styled methods, but on a massively parallel basis. Spatially the substrate allow one conveniently locate cells, facilitating...

Electroosmotic manipulation of fluids was demonstrated using thin metal electrodes integrated within microfluidic channels at the substrate and cover plate interface. Devices were fabricated by photolithographically patterning on glass plates that then bonded to polymeric substrates into which cast. Polymeric used provide a permeable membrane for transport removal gaseous electrolysis products generated electrodes. flow between interdigitated provided electric field-free pumping in sections...

Vertically aligned carbon nanofiber (VACNF) electrode arrays were tested for their potential application in recording neuro-electrophysiological activity. We report, the first time, stimulation and extracellular of spontaneous evoked neuroelectrical activity organotypic hippocampal slice cultures with ultramicroelectrode VACNF arrays. Because electrodes are carbon-based, these have advantages over metal could enable a variety future applications as precise, informative, biocompatible neural...

In this paper we present the fabrication and initial testing results of high aspect ratio vertically aligned carbon nanofiber (VACNF)-based electrochemical probes. Electron beam lithography was used to define catalytic growth sites VACNFs. Following catalyst deposition, VACNF were grown using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process. Photolithography performed realize interconnect structures. These probes passivated with thin layer SiO2, which then removed from tips VACNF,...

Weakly charged cationic nanoparticles cause structural changes including local denaturing and compaction to DNA under mild conditions. The ligands bind the phosphate backbone of uncharged penetrate helix disrupt base pairing. Mobility shifts in electrophoresis, molecular dynamics, UV-vis spectrophotometry give clues details interactions. Detailed facts importance specialist readers are published as "Supporting Information". Such documents peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They...

A magnetocaloric pump provides a simple means of pumping fluid using only external thermal and magnetic fields. The principle, which can be traced back to the early work Rosensweig, is straightforward. Magnetic materials tend lose their magnetization as temperature approaches material's Curie point. Exposing column uniform field coincident with gradient produces pressure in fluid. As heats up, it loses its attraction displaced by cooler impact such phenomenon obvious: propulsion no moving...

Exposing a column of ferrofluid to coincident magnetic and thermal fields produces pressure gradient in the fluid. As heats up, it loses its attraction field is displaced by cooler Subsequently, possible generate pump with no moving mechanical parts. Until recently, limitations properties conventional materials severely limited operating pressures. Advancements design synthesis metal substituted magnetite enable fine control over both nanoparticles, key element ferrofluids. This manuscript...

We report on techniques for catalytic synthesis of rigid, high-aspect-ratio, vertically aligned carbon nanofibres by dc plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition that are tailored applications require arrays individual fibres feature long fibre lengths (up to 20 µm) such as scanning probe microscopy, penetrant cell and tissue probing mechanical insertion approaches gene delivery cultures. demonstrate the definition catalyst nanoparticles is critical step enables growth individual,...

Carbon nanofiber electrode architectures are used to provide for long-term, neuroelectroanalytical measurements of the dynamic processes intercellular communication between excitable cells. Individually addressed, vertically aligned carbon nanofibers incorporated into multielement arrays upon which cell matrixes both neuronal-like derived lines (rat pheochromocytoma, PC-12) and primary cells (dissociated from embryonic rat hippocampus) cultured over extended periods (days weeks). Electrode...

RNA interference (RNAi) has become a powerful biological tool over the past decade. In this study, tetracycline-inducible small hairpin (shRNA) vector system was designed for silencing cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) expression and delivered alongside yfp marker gene into Chinese hamster ovary cells using impalefection on spatially indexed vertically aligned carbon nanofiber arrays (VACNFs). The VACNF architecture provided simultaneous delivery of multiple genes, subsequent adherence...

We report a strategy for immobilizing dsDNA (double-stranded DNA) onto vertically aligned carbon nanofibers and subsequently releasing this following penetration residence of these high aspect ratio structures within cells. Gold-coated nanofiber arrays were modified with self-assembled monolayers (SAM) to which reporter was covalently end-specifically bound or without cleavable linker. The DNA-modified then used impale, thereby transfect, Chinese hamster lung epithelial This mechanical...

Fabrication and electrochemical characterization of microarrays individually addressable vertically aligned carbon nanofiber electrodes contained within an open fluidic channel are described. Compatibility the deterministic synthesis nanofibers with conventional microfabrication techniques enables development relatively complex, functional multilevel devices that may be produced efficiently in large numbers. The vertical orientation provides a basis for small volume electroanalyses probing...

Biological processes are carried out in a small physical volume, the cell, where molecular composition coupled with defined nanometer-scale architecture bring about function. A major challenge inherent copying this engineering ideal is fabrication and filling of enclosed membrane structures. Described here combination deterministically grown carbon nanofibers, micromachining techniques, piezo-based ink jet technology to create cellular mimics. The synthesis, testing, application arrays...

The ability to synthesize carbon nanofibres (CNFs) with a high degree of control over their geometry, location and structure via catalytic plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition has expanded the possibility new applications. nanoscale dimensions aspect ratio vertically aligned (VACNFs), along favourable physical characteristics, provided nanostructured material properties that are well-suited for interfacing live cells tissues. This review surveys aspects synthesis, integration...

Flexible strategies for the biochemical functionalization of synthetic nanoscale materials can enhance their impact upon a broader range devices and applications. Here we report approaches heterogeneous vertically aligned carbon nanofibers, nanostructured material increasingly used to provide components in microfabricated devices. Photoresist blocking are developed site-specific physical, chemical, electrochemical nanofiber arrays both spatially across regions device as well along length...

The unique properties of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) make them attractive for numerous applications ranging from field emitters to biological probes. In particular, it is the deterministic synthesis CNFs, which requires precise control over geometrical characteristics such as location, length, diameter, and alignment, that enables diverse applications. Catalytic plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition vertically aligned CNFs a growth method offers substantial nanofiber geometry. However, also...

Nanoporous membranes are applicable to a variety of research fields due their ability selectively separate molecules with high efficiency. Of particular interest methods for controlling membrane selectivity through externally applied stimuli and integrating such structures within multiscale systems. Membranes comprised deterministically grown, vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) compatible these needs. VACNF can regulate molecular transport by physically selecting species as they...