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Strained arrays of colloidal nanoparticles: conductance and magnetoresistance enhancement

Colloidal nanoparticles are increasingly popular building blocks of functional arrays for electronic and optical devices. Electrical conductivity of arrays is often limited by the outer molecular shells inherent to colloidal particles, which act as very effective insulators. Here, we introduce a fundamentally new approach to post-assembly thinning of the shells. [Compressive stress applied through light-induced polymerization and shrinkage of the host matrix.] This paper reports >10^5 increase in current through the array, plus an unprecedented value of the magnetoresistance. The significance of this method, applicable to a wide range of colloidal nanoparticles, has been highlighted by the nanotechnology industry (http://www.hydromel-project.com/news-and-events/from-europe/magnetic-colloidal-nanoparticles-assembly-to-overcome-conductivity-hurdle.html)