Nature Nanotechnology: DNA Shapes on Lithographically Patterned Surfaces Increase Semiconductor Density

Scientists at IBM Research and the California Institute of Technology announced a method for structuring DNA shapes to help build miniaturized computer chips well beyond 22-nm processes. The research claims that chips will be more energy efficient and suited to mass production.

The article abstract in Nature Nanotechnology states that “artificial DNA nanostructures show promise for the organization of functional materials to create nanoelectronic or nano-optical devices. DNA origami, in which a long single strand of DNA is folded into a shape using shorter ‘staple strands’, can display 6-nm-resolution patterns of binding sites, in principle allowing complex arrangements of carbon nanotubes, silicon nanowires, or quantum dots. However, DNA origami are synthesized in solution and uncontrolled deposition results in random arrangements; this makes it difficult to measure the properties of attached nanodevices or to integrate them with conventionally fabricated microcircuitry.”

The authors describe the use of electron-beam lithography and dry oxidative etching to create DNA origami-shaped binding sites on technologically useful materials, such as SiO2 and diamond-like carbon. “In buffer with ~100 mM MgCl2, DNA origami bind with high selectivity and good orientation: 70–95% of sites have individual origami aligned with an angular dispersion (±1 s.d.) as low as ±10&#176 (on diamond-like carbon) or ±20&#176 (on SiO2). BBC News reports that the origami can be designed to serve as a scaffold for electronic components just six billionths of a meter apart, substantially increasing assembly density.

Ryan J. Kershner, Luisa D. Bozano, Christine M. Micheel, Albert M. Hung, Ann R. Fornof, Jennifer N. Cha, Charles T. Rettner, Marco Bersani, Jane Frommer, Paul W. K. Rothemund & Gregory M. Wallraff authored the study.


Photo courtesy BBC News; news.bbc.co.uk.

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