Nanocomposite glasses containing metallic nanoparticles can be microstructured by electric-field assisted dissolution of the embedded particles. As reported by Graener and co-workers on p. 2983, any pattern of the electrode-down to the nanoscale-can be transferred onto the nanocomposite glass, giving 2D metallodielectric microstructures. The cover image shows as the background a regular array of squares with 2 lm periodicity produced using macroporous silicon as an electrode. The insets show the base material, the electrode, a representation of the dissolution process, and an enlarged view of the remaining silver nanoparticles.
Microfluidics
Capillary-driven microfluidics have evolved from simple microfluidic networks to refined capillary systems that integrate capillary valves and advanced flow control, offering many advantages over conventional techniques for handling minute amounts of liquids. On p. 2911, Delamarche and co-workers review efforts to develop a versatile and flexible microfluidic technology for surface-processing applications and miniaturizing biological assays. The review is presented in the context of current trends in microfluidic technology and addresses some of the major challenges for confining chemical and biochemical processes on surfaces.
Heterostructured Nanowires
Solution-grown CdSe nanowires (NWs) combine numerous aspects of 1D carrier physics. The effects of disorder on the optical properties of individual, quantum-confined straight/ branched NWs are shown in work reported by Kuno and co-workers on p. 2942. The optical heterogeneity is apparent through non-uniform intrawire emission intensities. The intensity variations along the NW appear as dark/bright sections hundreds of nanometers long. The most surprising result, however, is the observation of prominent intrawire intensity dynamics that follow inverse-power-law statistics.
Micropatterning
A versatile confocal-based laser scanning lithographic (LSL) method for controlled, high-fidelity 2D and 3D surface patterning of deformable, solvated, photoactive substrates is reported on p. 2939 by West and co-workers. The method can be applied to any optically clear, photoactive substrate, whether rigid or deformable. LSL employs userdefined "virtual masks" to spatially control laser irradiation during pattern generation, eliminating the need for conventional photolithographic masks and a clean room.