Design and self-assembly of open, regular, 3D mesostructures

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-7-1999

Publication Title

Science

Volume

284

Issue

5416

First Page

948

Last Page

951

Abstract

Self-assembly provides the basis for a procedure used to organize millimeterscale objects into regular, three-dimensional arrays ('crystals') with open structures. The individual components are designed and fabricated of polyurethane by molding; selected faces are coated with a thin film of liquid, metallic alloy. Under mild agitation in warm, aqueous potassium bromide solution, capillary forces between the films of alloy cause self- assembly. The structures of the resulting, self-assembled arrays are determined by structural features of the component parts: the three- dimensional shape of the components, the pattern of alloy on their surfaces, and the shape of the alloy-coated surfaces. Self-assembly of appropriately designed chiral pieces generates helices.

DOI

10.1126/science.284.5416.948

ISSN

00368075

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