Berlin 2008 – scientific programme

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SYSM: Symposium Single Molecules

SYSM 1: Single molecules

SYSM 1.2: Invited Talk

Tuesday, February 26, 2008, 14:30–15:00, H 0105

Tracking and Manipulating Single Molecule Diffusion in Liquids — •Frank Cichos — Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

Single molecule optical detection provides the tools to follow the motion of molecules and other nano-objects in solution in real time. It allows to identify spatial differences in single molecule dynamics, as a result of local variations in chemical and physical conditions. As a consequence of this, control of local chemical and physical environments especially at surfaces allows to modify and manipulate molecular dynamics in a well defined way opening new concepts for nanofluidic applications. We report on recent experiments which are aimed to guide and trap the motion of single molecules and nanoparticles in liquids by local chemical structures and thermal fields. Our experiments are based on confined geometries, where the structure and dynamics of a liquid is largely determined by interfacial interactions. Micro contact printing of chemical structures is used to modulate these interfacial interactions to achieve anisotropic single molecule diffusion. Gold nanoparticles are immobilized on surfaces and employed as local nano-heatsources to induce controlled thermal gradient flows directing single molecule motion.