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Related Concept Videos

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Related Experiment Video

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Microfluidic Fabrication of Polymeric and Biohybrid Fibers with Predesigned Size and Shape
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Using active colloids as machines to weave and braid on the micrometer scale.

Carl P Goodrich1,2, Michael P Brenner3,2

  • 1School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138; goodrich@g.harvard.edu.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|December 31, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Active colloids precisely controlled in 2D motion can assemble microscopic filaments into complex braids and weaves. This novel geometric self-assembly relies on topological path control, not adhesives.

Keywords:
active colloidsbraids and weavescolloidal machinesself-assembly

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Area of Science:

  • Microscopic motion control
  • Biologically inspired systems
  • Self-assembly

Background:

  • Controlling microscopic motion is key for developing biologically inspired systems.
  • Current self-assembly methods often rely on adhesive bonds.
  • A need exists for alternative assembly paradigms using geometric constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate the controlled assembly of microscopic filaments into complex structures like braids and weaves using active colloids.
  • To explore a novel out-of-equilibrium assembly pathway.
  • To investigate the role of topological path control in self-assembly.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing Brownian dynamics simulations.
  • Precisely controlling the 2D motion of active, self-propelled colloids.
  • Attaching active colloids to long, semiflexible filaments.

Main Results:

  • Active colloids can be controlled to assemble microscopic filaments into braids and weaves.
  • The assembled structures are held by geometric constraints, not adhesive bonds.
  • Filament bending into braids depends on factors like self-propulsion, filament properties, and braid curvature.

Conclusions:

  • Out-of-equilibrium assembly pathways can be designed using active particles.
  • Controlled motion of active colloids offers a new tool for microscopic structure fabrication.
  • This method enables the creation of complex, geometrically constrained assemblies.