Nanoscale Confinement of Dip‐Pen Nanolithography Written Phospholipid Structures on CuZr Nanoglasses

Abstract

Nanoglasses have attracted considerable interest among material scientists due to their novel and surprising properties. However, there is still a significant gap in understanding how nanoglasses interact with biomaterials and their effects on living cells. Previous cell studies have reported indications of possible proliferation effects, but a comprehensive understanding of differentiating nanoglass influences from distinct material or topography effects is yet to be established. In this study, the interaction between nanoglass surfaces and phospholipids, which are fundamental components of cell membranes, is investigated. The findings reveal a unique stabilizing effect exhibited by nanoglasses on structures created using lipid dip‐pen nanolithography, preventing their spreading over the surface (“confinement”). This discovery suggests that nanoglasses can potentially influence the structure of cell membranes, providing a conceivable mechanism for how nanoglasses may impact cell behavior.

Molecular dynamics simulation on the mechanical properties of Zr-Cu metallic nanoglasses with heterogeneous chemical compositions

“…For the first time, mechanical properties of amorphous alloys may be controlled in a new way, i.e., by alternating their microstructures (Voigt et al, 2023a;2023b;Singh et al, 2023;Vasantham et al, 2023), similar to those applied for crystalline materials, as demonstrated in our previous experimental work (Li et al, 2021a) that the grain-size effects play an important role in tuning the mechanical properties of NGs. From atomistic simulations, Adibi et al (Adibi et al, 2014;2015) have found that the mechanical strength of NGs would decrease monotonously through reducing the size of glassy grains in NGs with a homogenous chemical composition.…”