The polyhedral shape and fragile nature of single crystals of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hinder their processing using standard microfabrication techniques. As a result, the fabrication of surface patterns and microelectrodes on MOF single crystals is challenging, which limits both the direct electrical interrogation of crystals in research and their integration into optical and electrical devices. Herein, a new strategy to readily fabricate surface-embossed micropatterns and surface-embedded gold electrodes on MOF single crystals using a space-confined, one-step solvothermal synthesis is demonstrated. This method is based on the confined growth of the MOF crystal around prefabricated metal patterns with different adhesion strengths to the growth surface, producing features as small as 5 µm. As a proof of concept, micropatterns are created on flat single crystals of the MOF HKUST-1, exhibiting the function as a diffraction grating. Additionally, a single-crystal HKUST-1 capacitive gas sensor with surface-embedded electrodes that serves as a stable platform for the investigation of ethanol diffusion in the MOF pores is fabricated. The space-confined fabrication strategy is promising for the integration of fragile MOF single crystals in various optical and electrical devices.
Clathrin assembles at the cells' plasma membrane in a multitude of clathrin coated structures (CCSs). Among these are flat clathrin lattices (FCLs), alternative clathrin structures that have been found in specific cell types, including cancer cells. Here we show that these structures are also present in different colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines, and that they are extremely stable with lifetimes longer than 8 hours. By combining cell models representative of CRC metastasis with advanced fluorescence imaging and analysis, we discovered that the metastatic potential of CRC is associated with an aberrant membranous clathrin distribution, resulting in a higher prevalence of FCLs in cells with a higher metastatic potential. These findings suggest that clathrin organization might play an important yet unexplored role in cancer metastasis.
Single‐Crystal Capacitive Sensors
In article number 2204065, Min Tu, Rob Ameloot, and co‐workers develop a space‐confined synthesis method to fabricate surface‐embossed micropatterns and surface‐embedded gold electrodes on metal–organic framework single crystals. A capacitive gas sensor is constructed by embedding Au electrodes on HKUST‐1 flat single crystals and is used for the investigation of ethanol diffusion in the pores.
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