Materials based on organized nanostructures can have unique properties. For example, small gold rings (split ring resonators) in nanometer scales can "bend" light in ways as to make what is behind them invisible. These are called metamaterials. We are using DNA to make templates for metamaterials that can be linked in 3D and coated with metals (either silver or gold) that convert the arrays of resonators. DNA structures are being created using several different procedures that include DNA origami, DNA tiling and ligation of restriction fragments. Proteins:nucleic acid interactions are being applied for assembly and to direct the positions of the splits in the rings. A collaboration with an expert in metallization results in these structures being coated with metal.
Duration: 2018-06-27