Self-assembly of Micro- and Nano-systems
Self-assembly of arbitrary systems of nano and microcsale components is a significant goal and challenge for the future of nanomanufacturing. We are exploring two areas of self-assembly: the creation and quantitative analysis of technologies for selective, not-necessarily-periodic assembly of micro and nanoscale structures onto surfaces and the use of those technologies to create practical, functional systems.
We have created a new approach to self assembly called templated assembly by selective removal (TASR). TASR employs a combination of chemistry, surface topography, and controllable, ultrasonically-induced fluid forces to assembly diverse sets of objects selectively from fluid into designated sites on a 2D surface [S. Jung and C. Livermore, Nanoletters 5, p. 2188-94, 2005]. The selectivity is based on the degree to which the component to be assembled matches the shape of the surface at that location. TASR has potential applications for creating practical systems of micro and nanoscale components (optically-readable biological or chemical sensors or optical materials, for example), or as a shape and size sensitive separation mechanism.
Figure 1: Silicon microspheres self-assembled on a templated silicon-silicon dioxide substrate.
Current Team Members: Michelle Hyers, Gunjan Agarwal, and Carol Livermore.
Current Sponsorship: NSF CAREER Award, NSF Graduate Fellowship, Pappalardo Graduate Fellowship.