Filling in the blanks
Microcontact printing enables researchers to create orderly, microscopic arrays of molecules on a surface. The technique, which is cheaper than traditional methods of making patterns on this scale, could someday be used to produce everything from microelectronics to biosensors. Now, scientists have enhanced the technique, so that patterns can be laid more precisely than they currently can.
Much as a rubber stamp transfers ink to a sheet of paper, microcontact printing transfers molecular “inks” onto surfaces such as gold and copper. Sulfur-containing molecules called alkanethiols and gold are one widely used combination for the technique.