Lithography combined with multilayer nanoassembly: versatile approach to fabricate nanocomposite micropatterns for biointerfaces

A combination lithography-layer-by-layer (L-LbL) method for the fabrication of nanocomposite multicomponent micropatterns comprised of organic and/or inorganic materials is described. Nanofilm patterns of polymers, proteins, dyes, and/or nanoparticles may be constructed on glass substrates for potential applications in basic cell-material interactions, as well as components of photonics, electronics, and chemical microsystems. Cell-culture work with primary brain cells demonstrates the use of this method towards developing specialized bio-material interfaces.