Grainy wire self-assembles along DNA.Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa have used DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. to synthesize To create a whole or complete unit from parts or components. See synthesis. a silver wire just 100 nanometers in diameter. The DNA acts as a scaffold scaffold Temporary platform used to elevate and support workers and materials during work on a structure or machine. It consists of one or more wooden planks and is supported by either a timber or a tubular steel or aluminum frame; bamboo is used in parts of Asia. for the silver, enabling the scientists to make thinner wires than they can with conventional techniques. The group deposited two gold electrodes onto a glass plate, then bridged the gap between them with short strands of DNA. By dipping the glass plate into a silver solution, the scientists allowed the wire to assemble itself. Positively charged Adj. 1. positively charged - having a positive charge; "protons are positive" electropositive, positive charged - of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge; "charged particles"; "a charged battery" silver ions, attracted to the negatively charged Adj. 1. negatively charged - having a negative charge; "electrons are negative" electronegative, negative charged - of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge; "charged particles"; "a charged battery" DNA, arranged themselves along the strand. A chemical treatment then turned the deposited ions into neutral grains of silver metal. A second treatment added more silver to the grains, forming a wire 12 micrometers long. Erez Braun and his colleagues report their achievement in the Feb. 19 Nature. The wire conducts electricity, making it one of the first working electronic components constructed by self-assembly (SN: 8/17/96, p. 100). |
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