Structure shift of GaN nanowall network, nanocolumn, and compact film were successfully obtained on Si (111) by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). As is expected, growth of the GaN nanocolumns was observed in N-rich condition on bare Si, and the growth shifted to compact film when the Ga flux was improved. Interestingly, if an aluminum (Al) pre-deposition for 40 s was carried out pri...

The kinetic activity of individual enzyme molecules was determined in aqueous droplets generated in a nano- and microfluidic device. To avoid high background noise, the enzyme and substrate solution was confined into femtoliter carriers, achieving high product concentrations from single-molecule encapsulation. The tiny droplets (φ ~ 2.5-3 μm) generated from this fluidic system were highly monod...

There has been an increasing drive toward miniaturizing and accelerating experiments with droplet-based microfluidics across the chemical disciplines. Current applications take advantage of the numerous techniques for manipulating nano- to femtoliter droplets within microfluidic devices. To expand the range of possible applications, we have developed a method for compartmentalizing pure compoun...

Digital microfluidics, the use of small sample droplets in oil filled channels, offers exciting possibilities in biochemistry. With the ability to form nano or picolitre droplets, there is potential for massive miniaturisation of high throughput screening (HTS) processes, where the full functionality of microtitre plate technology is replicated on a single chip for improved efficiency and subst...

Leidenfrost phenomena on nano- and microstructured surfaces are of great importance for increasing control over heat transfer in high power density systems utilizing boiling phenomena. They also provide an elegant means to direct droplet motion in a variety of recently emerging fluidic systems. Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of tilted nanopillar arrays (TNPAs) that exhibit...

A vesicle is a compartment composed of lipid bilayer of amphiphilic molecules. The vesicle is applied to carriers of drugs, cosmetics and functional food ingredients in industries. Vesicles are also applied as a model for artificial cell membrane and expected as micro- and nano-reactors. They are generally prepared by the hydration of dry lipid film, but there is no method to prepare vesicles o...

Condensed liquid behavior on hydrophobic micro/nano-structured surfaces is a subject with multiple practical applications, but remains poorly understood. In particular, the loss of superhydrophobicity of hydrophobic micro/nanostructures during condensation, even when the same surface shows water-repellant characteristics when exposed to air, requires intensive investigation to improve and apply...