RESUMO
Focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) is one of the few additive, direct-write manufacturing techniques capable of depositing complex 3D nanostructures. In this work, we explore post-growth electron beam curing (EBC) of such platinum-based FEBID deposits, where free-standing, sheet-like elements were deformed in a targeted manner by local irradiation without precursor gas present. This process diminishes the volumes of exposed regions and alters nano-grain sizes, which was comprehensively characterized by SEM, TEM and AFM and complemented by Monte Carlo simulations. For obtaining controlled and reproducible conditions for smooth, stable morphological bending, a wide range of parameters were varied, which will here be presented as a first step towards using local EBC as a tool to realize even more complex nano-architectures, beyond current 3D-FEBID capabilities, such as overhanging structures. We thereby open up a new prospect for future applications in research and development that could even be further developed towards functional imprinting.
RESUMO
We studied coexisting micro- and nanoscopic liquid-ordered/liquid-disordered domains in fully hydrated multilamellar vesicles using small-angle X-ray scattering. Large domains exhibited long-range out-of-plane positional correlations of like domains, consistent with previous reports. In contrast, such correlations were absent in nanoscopic domains. Advancing a global analysis of the in situ data allowed us to gain a deep insight into the structural and elastic properties of the coexisting domains, including the partitioning of cholesterol in each domain. In agreement with a previous report, we found that the thickness mismatch between ordered and disordered domains decreased for nanoscopic domains. At the same time, we found also the lipid packing mismatch to be decreased for nano-domains, mainly due to the liquid-disordered domains becoming more densely packed when decreasing their size.