We synthesized gold nanonetwork using the amphiphilic polymer brush, poly(oxyethylene) containing decyltri(oxyethylene)thiomethyl (C 1 0 H 2 1 (OCH 2 CH 2 ) 3 SCH 2 -) side groups, as a stabilizer and/or a template. When tetrabutylammonium borohydride solution in THF was added to a mixture solution of the polymer and LiAuCl 4 in THF, 0-D gold nanomaterials were obtained. However, when an aqueous solution of sodium borohydride was added, gold nanonetworks were synthesized. The composites composed of polymer/0-D gold nanomaterials and polymer/ gold nanonetworks showed electrical conductivities of ~10 -9 and ~10 -3S/cm, respectively, which indicated that the gold nanonetworks increased the electrical conductivity.

We present a fabrication method using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stencils and solvent evaporation to prepare microcontainers with a desired shape made from a biodegradable polymer. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) was used for preparing microcontainers, but most polymers are applicable in the proposed method in which solvent evaporation is used to construct microstructures in confined spaces in the stencil. Microcontainers with various shapes were fabricated by controlling the stencil geometry. Furthermore, a porous structure could be prepared in a micromembrane using water porogen. The porous structure was observed using a field emission scanning electron microscope and mass transfer across the porous membrane was examined using a fluorescent dye. The flexibility of the PDMS stencil allowed the fabrication of microcontainers on a curved surface. Finally, it was demonstrated that microcontainers can be used to contain a localized cell culture. The viability and morphology of cultured cells were observed using confocal microscopy over a period of 3 weeks.