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Friday, 22nd May 2009 (1142 views)

Scientists have developed a way of incorporating DNA in to sheets made from gold nanoparticles to create a new material.

Researchers at Cornell University in New York have used DNA as a structural support to hold in place sheets of the precious metal measuring 20 nanometres in thickness.

A team led by associate professor of biological engineering Dan Luo attached gold nanoparticles to single-stranded DNA before lowering the so-called superlattices into a water-based solution.

The solution was then allowed to evaporate, leaving behind a substance that Mr Luo believes can be used to manufacture electronics.

"We hope this can contribute to development of future nanocircuits," he stated, adding that the properties of the superlattices can be easily changed by altering the lengths of the DNA holding the gold nanoparticles in place.

Scientists have also employed gold in the development of a new DVD, with a team in Australia using nanorods made from the metal to create a disc with a capacity up to 2,000 times that of current models.

 

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