  Hydrophilic nanotubes formed by lipid molecules have potential applications
as platforms for chemical or biological events occurring in an attolitre volume
inside a hollow cylinder. Here, we have integrated the lipid nanotubes (LNTs)
by applying an AC electric field via plug-in electrode needles placed above a
substrate. The off-chip assembly method has the on-demand adjustability of an
electrode configuration, enabling the dispersed LNT to be electrically moulded
into a separate film of parallel LNT arrays in one-step. The fluorescence
resonance energy transfer technique as well as the digital microscopy
visualised the overall filling of gold nanoparticles up to the inner capacity
of an LNT film by capillary action, thereby showing the potential of this
flexible film for use as a high-throughput nanofluidic device where not only is
the endo-signalling and product in each LNT multiplied but also the
encapsulated objects are efficiently transported and reacted.
