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Three-dimensional nanostructures are becoming the standard tools for interfacing cells with biosensors and other devices. A morphology that develops in three dimensions leads to the engulfment of the nanostructures by the cell, reducing the cleft and largely improving the cell/material coupling and sealing. The recording of action potentials from electrogenic cells, as well as biomolecular sensing of generic biological samples, can benefit from 3D nano-objects due to the improved bio-interface. In this context, we present here a novel fabrication technique for producing 3D vertical nanostructures that can be tuned both in material composition and shape, being thus suitable for a large variety of applications, from SERS spectroscopy and microfluidics to intracellular recording. The technique is based on focus ion beam milling and gold electrodeposition. This combination allows to fabricate coaxial-like nanocylinders with a metallic core and an insulating shell. Moreover, the metallic core can be structured as a hollow donut to act as nano-channel, or as a bulky head to increase the contact surface. The nanostructure coupling with cells is evaluated by fluorescence imaging, SERS spectroscopy and FIB/SEM cross-section imaging of HL-1 cardiac cells cultured on the devices.

Nanowire arrays and networks with precisely controlled patterns are very interesting for innovative device concepts in mesoscopic physics. In particular, DNA templates have proven to be versatile for the fabrication of complex structures that obtained functionality via combinations with other materials, for example by functionalisation with molecules or nanoparticles, or by coating with metals. Here, the controlled motion of the a three-phase contact line (TCL) of DNA-loaded drops on superhydrophobic substrates is used to fabricate suspended nanowire arrays. In particular, the deposition of DNA wires is imaged in situ, and different patterns are obtained on hexagonal pillar arrays by controlling the TCL velocity and direction. Robust conductive wires and networks are achieved by coating the wires with a thin layer of gold, and as proof of concept conductivity measurements are performed on single suspended wires. The plastic material of the superhydrophobic pillars ensures electrical isolation from the substrate. The more general versatility of these suspended nanowire networks as functional templates is outlined by fabricating hybrid organic-metal-semiconductor nanowires by growing ZnO nanocrystals onto the metal-coated nanowires.

Silver nanoparticles (NPs) aggregates with an overall size in the nano meter range were fabricated employing non conventional electroless techniques. The structure of the aggregates was analyzed through direct SEM and AFM imaging; space-frequency based variables, including fractal dimension, were extracted in order to yield a quantitative measurement of the topography of the systems at study. These observations were explained within the framework of diffusion limited aggregation (DLA). DLA theory founds upon the paradigm that, in the limit of very fast chemical reactions, diffusion is the sole driving force that regulates the dynamics of aggregation of NPs. The mathematical model confirmed the experimental findings whereby the fractal dimension of the clusters is size dependent, that is, larger systems are more discontinuous than smaller. The model would also predict that, under certain conditions, a characteristic length exists beyond which the fractal dimension is constant. DLA theory is consistent and predictive in nature, and may be of valuable help in designing devices that utilize rough metal surfaces and the derived effects thereof, including SERS substrates.

Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted Highlights? Fabrication and characterization of a polarization-selective Raman biosensor. ? Surface Plasmon Resonances in nanoantenna structures enhance the Raman signal. ? Optical transmittance and SERS signal confirm the polarization-dependent response. We report on the fabrication and spectroscopic characterization of a polarization-selective Raman sensor composed of an ordered array of planar nanoantennas. The device shows two distinct plasmon resonances associated with the main axes of the elongated nanostructures and is able to significantly enhance the Raman signal when the excitation wavelength matches one of these resonances.

Early detection of diseases has great importance in terms of success of the disease treatment. In fact, it has a profound positive influence on the response provided by the patient, leading to shorter and less invasive treatment regimes. We consider here the Raman detection of low (atto-molar) concentrates of molecules by applying nanofabrication techniques in the fabrication of plasmonic devices fulfilling the requirement of superhydrophobicity. Plasmonic resonances will have the effect of substantially increasing the local electric field around the fabricated nano-device which, in turn, will positively affect the Raman signal. Similarly, the superhydrophobicity will play the crucial role in localizing the few molecules of the analyte around the plasmonic device, therefore allowing their detection in a manner otherwise impossible in diffusion-based devices. We will theoretically explain the concept of superhydrophobicity by providing also a roadmap for defining the optimal superhydrophobic device, then we will introduce the fabrication process to realize such a device and, finally, we will provide the Raman counting of a series of analytes together with electromagnetic simulations illustrating the role of the electric field in the formation of the Raman signal.

The fabrication of complex 3D plasmonic nanostructures opens new scenarios towards the realization of high electric field confinement and enhancement. We exploit the unique properties of these nanostructures for performing Raman spectroscopy in the single/few molecules detection limit.

Periodic and reproducible gold nanocuboids with various matrix dimensions and with different inter-particle gaps were fabricated by means of top-down technique. Rhodamine 6G was used as a probe molecule to optimize the design and the fabrication of the cuboid nanostructures. The electric field distribution for the nanocuboids with varying matrix dimensions/inter-particle gap was also investigated. These SERS devices were employed as biosensors through the investigation of both myoglobin and wild/mutated peptides. The results demonstrate the probing and the screening of wild/mutated BRCA1 peptides, thus opening a path for the fabrication of simple and cheap SERS device capable of early detection of several diseases.

The aim of this paper is to expound on the rational design, fabrication and development of superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) for the manipulation and analysis of diluted biological solutions. SHSs typically feature a periodic array or pattern of micropillars; here, those pillars were modified to incorporate on the head, at the smallest scales, silver nanoparticles aggregates. These metal nanoclusters guarantee superior optical properties and especially SERS (surface enhanced Raman scattering) effects, whereby a molecule, adsorbed on the surface, would reveal an increased spectroscopy signal. On account of their two scale-hybrid nature, these systems are capable of multiple functions which are (i) to concentrate a solution, (ii) to vehicle the analytes of interest to the active areas of the substrate and, therefore, (iii) to measure the analytes with exceptional sensitivity and very low detection limits. Forasmuch, combining different technologies, these devices would augment the performance of conventional SERS substrates and would offer the possibility of revealing a single molecule. In this work, similar SHSs were used to detect Rhodamine molecules in the fairly low atto molar range. The major application of this novel family of devices would be the early detection of tumors or other important pathologies, with incredible advances in medicine.

Through general theoretical considerations, based only on the Markoffian assumption, it is shown that equilibrium non-gaussian properties can be used to predict how the decay of excited states deviates from a linear response theory behaviour. To check this prediction, a computer experiment on a ‘two-dimensional liquid’ of discs interacting via a Lennard-Jones plus electric dipole potential is carried out. The results obtained for both equilibrium and excited correlation functions confirm completely the intimate relation between equilibrium non-gaussian properties and excitation behaviour. Via approximate analytical expressions and exact solutions, it is also shown that a non-linear version of the popular itinerant oscillator provides the same equilibrium non-gaussian properties and, in consequence of that, the same kind of deviation from linear response as the two-dimensional system.