Nanorings and rods interconnected by self-assembly mimicking an artificial network of neurons

[EN] Molecular electronics based on structures ordered as neural networks emerges as the next evolutionary milestone in the construction of nanodevices with unprecedented applications. However, the straightforward formation of geometrically defined and interconnected nanostructures is crucial for the production of electronic circuitry nanoequivalents. Here we report on the molecularly fine-tuned self-assembly of tetrakis-Schiff base compounds into nanosized rings interconnected by unusually large nanorods providing a set of connections that mimic a biological network of neurons. The networks are produced through self-assembly resulting from the molecular conformation and noncovalent intermolecular interactions. These features can be easily generated on flat surfaces and in a polymeric matrix by casting from solution under ambient conditions. The structures can be used to guide the position of electron-transporting agents such as carbon nanotubes on a surface or in a polymer matrix to create electrically conducting networks that can find direct use in constructing nanoelectronic circuits.The research leading to these results has received funding from ICIQ, ICREA, the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) through project CTQ2011-27385 and the European Community Seventh Framework Program (FP7-PEOPLE-ITN-2008, CONTACT consortium) under grant agreement number 238363. We acknowledge E. C. Escudero-Adan, M. Martinez-Belmonte and E. Martin from the X-ray department of ICIQ for crystallographic analysis, and M. Moncusi, N. Argany, R. Marimon, M. Stefanova and L. Vojkuvka from the Servei de Recursos Cientifics i Tecnics from Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Tarragona, Spain).Escarcega-Bobadilla, MV.; Zelada-Guillen, GA.; Pyrlin, SV.; Wegrzyn, M.; Ramos, MMD.; Giménez Torres, E.; Stewart, A.... (2013). 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The effect of dialogue stressor on participant’s interview attitude experience.

<p>The effect of dialogue stressor on participant’s interview attitude experience.</p

Second-order nonlinear optical properties of functionalized dendrimers

It is now well-accepted that dendrimers tend to form spherical structures at higher generations. This is concluded from viscosity measurements and mol. modeling studies. We report on the second-order nonlinear optical properties of poly(propylene imine) dendrimers with D-p-A endgroups, as measured with Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering. These measurements show in a unique way, at the mol. level, the formation of centrosym. sphere-like dendrimers. Secondly, different nos. of N,N-dimethylamino-4-nitrobenzene mols. were encapsulated in a dendritic box and studied by HRS, indicating a rigid encapsulation of guests. Moreover the nonlinear response of N,N-dimethylamino-4-nitrobenzene seems to be strongly enhanced when locked into a dendritic box