Template synthesis of nano test tubes

We have been investigating potential biomedical and biotechnological applications of template-synthesized nanotubes. One application we envision for these nanotubes is as vehicles for delivery of drugs, DNA, proteins or other biomolecules. The nanotubes that we have prepared previously have been open on both ends - like pipes. For the biomolecule deliver application, it would be best to have nanotubes that are closed on one end and open on the other - nano test tubes. This test tube geometry would allow for convenient filling of the nanotube with the biomolecule of interest, and by applying a cap to the open end, the biomolecule could be kept "bottled-up" inside until it is ready to be delivered. We describe here a simple modification of the template-synthesis method that allows for the preparation of nano test tubes. Prototype silica nano test tubes are described here. We show that the outside diameter of these test tubes is determined by the pore diameter in the template membrane used and that the length of the test tube is determined by the thickness of the template membrane.