Molecule-Mimetic Chemistry and Mesoscale Self-Assembly

Abstract

Molecules are structured aggregates of atoms joined by chemical bonds; crystals are aggregates of molecules, interacting covalently or noncovalently. The work described in this Account uses molecules, crystals, and other forms of atomic/molecular matter to suggest principles that can be used in generating structured aggregates of millimeter-scale components, interacting through capillary interactions. The properties of these aggregates--that is, their "chemistry"--mimic aspects of the chemistry of molecules.

Beyond molecules: Self-assembly of mesoscopic and macroscopic components

“…Designing New, Self-Assembling Systems We believe that the design of systems of components with nano-to macroscale dimensions for self-assembly can be aided enormously by considering analogies with molecular systems (32). To test this belief, we have explored one of many imaginable systems of self-assembling macroscopic components: systems based on capillary interactions (Fig.…”

“…Macroscopic objects can be fabricated that self-assemble well (32), but scaling the fabrication of these structures into dimensions of microns, much less nanometers, remains an unsolved problem. In fact, the crux of mesoscale self-assembly ultimately may lie in the fabrication of components.…”

Peltier-based freeze-thaw connector for waterborne self-assembly systems

“…The exploitation of surface tension through the use of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials provides a binding mechanism for modular robots in a fluidic environment that is often used for research on cm-scale stochastic selfassembly systems [4]- [6], [27]. The connection strength is weak compared to other mechanisms but is sufficient because the modules are lightweight.…”

Biomimetic self-assembly of a functional asymmetrical electronic device

“…The production of appropriate components, alone and in connected strings, will require development of new methods for parallel microfabrication. To achieve a high volumetric density of functional components in the final, self-assembled system, the components must be also smaller than those used in the present example-optimally, we believe, Ͻ10 m-with wires of a few-micrometer diameter (28). Methods for fabricating these systems will, we suggest, begin with folding (29,30), or self-assembly of planar components on 3D scaffolds (31).…”