We studied coexisting micro- and nanoscopic liquid-ordered/liquid-disordered domains in fully hydrated multilamellar vesicles using small-angle X-ray scattering. Large domains exhibited long-range out-of-plane positional correlations of like domains, consistent with previous reports. In contrast, such correlations were absent in nanoscopic domains. Advancing a global analysis of the in situ data allowed us to gain a deep insight into the structural and elastic properties of the coexisting domains, including the partitioning of cholesterol in each domain. In agreement with a previous report, we found that the thickness mismatch between ordered and disordered domains decreased for nanoscopic domains. At the same time, we found also the lipid packing mismatch to be decreased for nano-domains, mainly due to the liquid-disordered domains becoming more densely packed when decreasing their size.

3D-nanoprinting via focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) is a highly flexible additive-fabrication technique that has gained importance in the past few years for its variable design possibilities on the micro and nanoscale. In this work, we show the transition from mesh-like toward closed (sheetlike) structures and the development of necessary compensations (height correction, temperature compensation, and proximity correction) to minimize deviations between the target structure and the actual deposit. To accomplish this, we investigate the growth behavior, the influence of beam heating, and the electron trajectories in extensive experimental series as well as finite-difference simulations. Out of this, we derive a modular Python tool taking all compensations into account, enabling the controlled and accurate deposition of 3D-nanostructures in an individually adjusted layer-by-layer approach. This approach forms the basis for accurately fabricating closed, sheet-like objects on the nanoscale and lays the foundation for depositing complex nanoarchitectures for various applications in research and development.

Focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) is one of the few additive, direct-write manufacturing techniques capable of depositing complex 3D nanostructures. In this work, we explore post-growth electron beam curing (EBC) of such platinum-based FEBID deposits, where free-standing, sheet-like elements were deformed in a targeted manner by local irradiation without precursor gas present. This process diminishes the volumes of exposed regions and alters nano-grain sizes, which was comprehensively characterized by SEM, TEM and AFM and complemented by Monte Carlo simulations. For obtaining controlled and reproducible conditions for smooth, stable morphological bending, a wide range of parameters were varied, which will here be presented as a first step towards using local EBC as a tool to realize even more complex nano-architectures, beyond current 3D-FEBID capabilities, such as overhanging structures. We thereby open up a new prospect for future applications in research and development that could even be further developed towards functional imprinting.