Gold microplates: Gold Microplates with Well‐Defined Shapes (Small 16/2010)

The frontispiece image shows the electron microscopy images of newly discovered Au microplates fabricated on the basis of a polyol process with variations during synthesis. These remarkable structures are formed through a simple process. It is believed that the introduction of obvious temperature variation in the early stage of nuclei formation is important for the growth of these structures. Simulations are also carried out to explain the experimental observations. Although there are still unresolved problems, the results represent a significant step in gaining a better understanding of the anisotropic growth of noble metals. Scientists can learn more about the physics and chemistry of how crystals grow simply by understanding the appearance of new structures; this knowledge has the potential to result in applications in microelectronic systems that are not yet foreseeable. For more information, please read the Full Paper “Gold Microplates with Well-Defined Shapes” by C. X. Kan and co-workers, beginning on page 1768.