Nanowell-array surfaces

A new approach for spatially storing chemical information in an ordered array on a surface which involves the creation of an array of nanowells in the surface and depositing spherical nanoparticles within these nanowells was investigated. The nanowells were created via a plasma-etch methodology using a nanopore alumina membrane as the mask which is placed on the top of the surface to be etched and this assembly is inserted within an argon plasma. The nanowells were etched into glass surfaces and the tapping-mode AFM images show that the pore structure of the alumina mask is reproduced in the glass. The chemistry of the surface surrounding the nanowells is designed to be different from the chemistry of the surfaces within the nanowells which allows for discrete storage of the spherical nanoparticles within the nanowells and not indiscriminate deposition on the surfaces surrounding the nanowells.