nanotethers
Nanotethers are nanoscale connectors that link a nanoscale object, such as a nanoparticle, colloid, or biomolecule, to a substrate, another particle, or to a molecular handle. They serve to set a defined separation, control orientation, and provide mechanical or electrical coupling while minimizing direct contact that could perturb function. Common forms include polymer tethers (such as polyethylene glycol chains), DNA tethers formed by complementary strands, and inorganic tethers built from carbon nanotubes or silane-linked linkers. The choice of tether affects length, stiffness, biocompatibility, and tethering chemistry.
Fabrication and attachment: Tethers can be attached through surface chemistries such as silanization on oxides, thiol-gold
Characterization and use: Techniques like atomic force microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and force
Applications and challenges: In biosensing, nanotethers position capture elements and reduce nonspecific binding. In nanomachines, they