Europium-doped yttrium oxide (Eu-Y2O3) luminescent films have been produced directly from a solution precursor using a radio frequency (RF) plasma spray technique. Highly crystalline and luminescent films were grown on Si (100) and steel substrates by this process. X-ray diffraction analyses on these films confirm that polycrystalline cubic Y2O3 phase has formed in-situ with no impurity phases.

The fabrication of functional nanostructured materials requires practical approaches to self-assembly on multiple length scales. Here, the directed self-assembly of functionalized, luminescent nanoparticles at oil-water interface, followed by crosslinking of the associated ligands, affords robust membranes. These composite membranes, nanometers in thickness, are shown to be effective diffusion barriers that have potential applications in controlled encapsulation and release.

In a human body, phospholipids form all kinds of different membranes and self-arrange into different objects. Some form unstable tubes. Such tubes in water may serve as templates for making nanotubes which may store drugs or other chemicals, or may suck up other species.