Switchable Nano-Object Arrays for Material Reconfiguration and Information Representation

An ability to switch a nano-structure on demand is important for enabling a dynamic control over the material properties. However, achieving this via highly specific triggering and with single nano-object precision presents a significant challenge. To tackle this problem, we developed method for assemble designed and switchable DNA-based “screen” composed of addressable pixels for the manipulation of nano-object arrays. We established approaches for creating the desired screen and their switching to exhibit different types of patterns from nano-objects. Our study shows that the DNA screen can display single to multiple types of nano-objects in discrete and reconfigurable mesoscale patterns that can be visualized by electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. We have demonstrated that switching between different patterns can be realized predictably and by-design, and quantified efficiencies of the screen assembly and switching processes. We further showed that developed switchable screens allow for structural control of complex material systems composed from inorganic nanoparticles and proteins, as well as can be used for readout of molecular-level algorithmic operations.