Optical microstructure fabrication using structured polarized illumination.

A versatile system for the fabrication of surface microstructures is demonstrated by combining the photomechanical response of supramolecular azopolymers with structured polarized illumination from a high resolution spatial light modulator. Surface relief structures with periods 900 nm - 16.5 µm and amplitudes up to 1.0 µm can be fabricated with a single 5 sec exposure at 488 nm. Sinusoidal, circular, and chirped surface profiles can be fabricated via direct programming of the spatial light modulator, with no optomechanical realignment required. Surface microstructures can be combined into macroscopic areas by mechanical translation followed by exposure. The surface structures grow immediately in response to illumination, can be visually observed in real time, and require no post-exposure processing.

Persistent interactions between hydroxylated nanoballs and atactic poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)(PHEMA).

The incorporation of self-assembled nanoparticles, a.k.a. hydroxylated nanoballs, into poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)(PHEMA) gives rise to a cross-linked network/hydrogel with enhanced interfacial interaction, whereas its inclusion in poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA) results in plasticization.

A new 6(5).8 topology and a distorted 6(5).8 CdSO4 topology: two new supramolecular isomers of [M2(bdc)2(L)2]n coordination polymers.

We report the crystal structures of two new coordination polymers that have similar composition but, despite having the same circuit symbol and Schläfli notation, different topologies: a novel 3D topology (USF-1) and a CdSO4-like topology.

Supramolecular isomerism in coordination compounds: nanoscale molecular hexagons and chains.

A nanoscale supramolecular hexagon, 1, and its supramolecular isomeric chain structure, 2, have been prepared from self-assembly of 5-NO2-bdc and Cu(II) cations. The hexagon is neutral and soluble and has outer and inner diameters of 3.1 and 0.8 nm, respectively.

From 1D strands to extended molecular assemblies in the binary compounds of dithiooxamide and dithiobiurea with crown ethers.

The hydrogen-bonding networks for seven new binary compounds of dithiooxamide, (NH2CS)2 (dtox) and dithiobiurea (NH2CSNH)2 (dtur) with crown ethers, 18-crown-6 (18C6), 15-crown-5 (15C5), 12-crown-4 (12C4), cis-syn-cis-(DCHA), and cis-anti-cis-(DCHB) isomers of dicyclohexyl-18 -crown-6 are discussed. (15C5.dtox), (18C6.dtur) and (DCHB.dtur) afford one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded polymeric arrays where the components alternate. In (DCHA.2dtox) and (DCHB.2dtox) the similar hydrogen-bonded chains are further interlinked via dtox molecules to generate layered motifs. In (15C5.2dtur) the dtur molecules are self-assembled into layers via N-H...S hydrogen bonds. 15C5 spacers link adjacent layers into a three-dimensional network. In (12C4.dtur) the dtur molecules are arranged in chains. These chains alternate with the crown molecules attached to them through N-H...O hydrogen bonds in such a way that each 12C4 appears to be linked with four dtur molecules and vice versa thus providing a three-dimensional grid.