Patent ID: 7648739
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: B01D,B01J,B01L,B05D,B29C,B41C,B82Y,C40B,F16K,G01N,G02B,G11B,G11C,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of reversibly modifying a property of a surface, comprising: depositing a nanolayer of a material on at least a first portion of a substrate; and applying an external stimulus to the nanolayer, wherein the external stimulus is selected from the group consisting of application of a voltage, a change in an applied voltage, a change in temperature, a change in pH, exposure to UV light, exposure to electromagnetic radiation, application of a magnetic field, removal of a magnetic field, a change in capacitance, application in of an electrostatic charge, removal of an electrostatic charge, and any combination of the above such that; when the stimulus is applied, the nanolayer shifts from a first conformation state to a second conformation state, wherein, when the nanolayer is in the first conformation state, the surface is characterized by a first adsorption affinity, and, when the nanolayer is in the second conformation state, the surface is characterized by a second adsorption affinity; and the shift in conformation state comprises a member of the group consisting of a change from a cis to a trans configured double bond, rotating a molecular group about an axis, opening a hinged molecular group, bending a molecular chain, unbending a molecular change, flipping a molecular chain and any combination thereof.