title: Nanoscale memory provided by thermoreversible stochastically structured polymer aggregates on mica.
abstract: Stimuli-responsive polymers are used in a large variety of applications due to the controlled manner in which their physical properties can be reversibly altered. In this study, we demonstrate the thermoreversible structuring of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based polymer. By temperature-controlled atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate that polymer aggregates form on mica above the polymer lower critical solution temperature and disperse below it, and in so doing, display positional "memory" in that the nanodomains are retained in the same positions and with the same shapes during repeated cooling/heating cycles. Such positional "memory" may be useful for multiple applications in nano-microscale devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, D-37070 Göttingen, Germany. apelah@gwdg.de
authors.forename: Avishay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pelah
authors.forename: Silvio J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ludueña
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Jares-Erijman
authors.forename: Igal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Szleifer
authors.forename: Lía I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Pietrasanta
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Jovin
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides / Q000737:chemistry*; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000178:Acrylamides; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D011108:Polymers; C052970:poly-N-isopropylacrylamide; C011934:mica