Patent ID: 7020355
Filing Date: 2006-03-28
Classification: B01D,B01J,B01L,B05D,B29C,B41C,B82Y,C40B,F16K,G01N,G02B,G11B,G11C,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A surface with reversibly switchable properties, comprising: a nanolayer of a material characterized in that, when an external stimulus is applied, the nanolayer switches 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 property, when the nanolayer is in the second conformation state, the surface is characterized by a second property, and wherein the nanolayer comprises a plurality of molecular assemblies having substantially the same first composition, each molecular assembly comprising at least first and second information carriers, at least one active group that interacts with the external stimulus, and at least one tether, wherein, when the active group interacts with the external stimulus, the tether shifts from a first conformation to a second conformation, when the tether has the first conformation, the properties of the surface are substantially determined by the first information carrier, and when the tether has the second conformation, the properties of the surface are substantially determined by the second information carrier.