Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
10:17
Patterning of Microorganisms and Microparticles through Sequential Capillarity-assisted Assembly
Published on: November 4, 2021
Toward Assembly of Non-close-packed Colloidal Structures from Anisotropic Pentamer Particles
Michael J Solomon1, Ramsey Zeitoun, Daniel Ortiz
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Program in Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. mjsolo@umich.edu.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|May 19, 2011
Summary
Researchers explored microparticle self-assembly using particles with varied internal bond angles and chemical ordering. This investigation yielded novel open colloidal structures, advancing the field of materials self-assembly.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry
- Self-Assembly
Background:
- Exploration of multi-dimensional anisotropy in particles for self-assembly remains limited.
- Microparticle assembly offers potential for creating complex structures with tunable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the scope for assembling microparticles with varied internal bond angle and chemical ordering anisotropy.
- To understand how building block anisotropy influences the structure of colloidal assemblies, leading to non-close-packed arrangements.
Main Methods:
- Development and parallelization of microfluidic synthesis methods for microparticle fabrication.
- Computational simulation to efficiently explore the anisotropy design space.
- Characterization of the properties of the resulting colloidal assemblies.
Main Results:
- Successfully assembled colloidal structures with interesting open (non-close-packed) architectures.
- Demonstrated a direct link between building block anisotropy and the resulting assembly structure due to steric constraints.
- Established a combined approach integrating synthesis, simulation, assembly, and characterization.
Conclusions:
- Microparticle anisotropy, specifically internal bond angle and chemical ordering, can direct the formation of complex open colloidal structures.
- The developed integrated program provides a framework for establishing design rules for microparticle building blocks and their assemblies.
- This research opens new avenues for designing and fabricating advanced materials through controlled self-assembly.
Related Concept Videos
01:29The Colloidal State
The formation of a colloidal system is exemplified by an aqueous solution containing Cl− ions is introduced to another containing Ag+ ions, resulting in the precipitation of solid AgCl as extremely tiny crystals. Instead of settling out as a filterable precipitate, these crystals remain suspended in the liquid, showcasing a colloidal system.A colloidal system involves colloidal particles within the approximate range of 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, dispersed in a medium called the...
01:18Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments
Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
01:09Colloidal precipitates
The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
01:32Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures
Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
01:30Micelles
Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...
03:22Colloids
Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...