| abstract |
A method of stamping molecular patterns and/or devices based on the reversible self-assembly of molecules. In one embodiment, the method of forming a complement image of a master involves: providing a master having a first set of molecules (12) bound to a first substrate (14) to form a pattern; assembling a second set of molecules (16), having a reactive functional group (18) and an exposed functionality (28), on the first set (12) via bond formation; contacting the reactive functional group (18) with the surface of a second substrate (22), the reactive functional group (18) reacting with the surface of the second substrate (22) to form a bond between the second set of molecules (16) and the second substrate (22); contacting the remaining exposed surface of the second substrate (22) wit another group of molecules (24); breaking the bonds between the first set of molecules (12) and the second set of molecules (16), the second set of molecules (16) bound to the second substrate (22) forming the complement image (26) of the master. The master can be reused one or more times to form additional complement images. |