Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have
realized high-throughput production of thin, ordered through-hole
membranes of titanium dioxide. Titania layers were grown using
anodization on mask-etched titanium before being crystallized.
Applying a second anodization, they converted part of the layer
back to an amorphous state. The amorphous portion was then
selectively dissolved to free the film while leaving the template
intact. This paves the way for industrial production of ordered
titania membranes for photonics.