Science Discovery: Molecules Organize Themselves Into Patterns

Yes, themselves: that is the operative word in a newly released study by scientists who study nanotechnology. ScienceDaily.com has the article. When heated copper molecules were allowed only 2-dimensional movement, "those in incorrect positions move to make room for others which fit properly," says the article. The scientists further report, "The molecular-level observation of such self-selection gives, for the first time, direct insight into fundamental steps of the biological evolution from inanimate molecules to living entities."

Scientists from the USA and Germany explain that 'this observation of molecular organization at surfaces may lead to further insight of how simple, inanimate molecules can build up biological entities of increasing structural and functional complexity, such as membranes, cells, leaves, trees, etc.'

These fascinating discoveries these are at the nano-measurement level, magnification 50,000 times smaller than a human hair. The study was conducted by Alexander Langner, Dr. Steven Tait, Dr. Nian Lin, and Prof. Dr. Klaus Kern of the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research and Dr. Chandrasekar Rajadurai and Dr. Mario Ruben of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).