Self-assembly as a research area investigates the spontaneous organization of components into ordered structures driven by local interactions and thermodynamic or kinetic principles, without direct external manipulation of each element. It encompasses molecular, nanoscale, and mesoscale systems where noncovalent forces (e.g., van der Waals, electrostatic, hydrophobic, hydrogen bonding) or specific binding interactions encode structural information. Research focuses on understanding design rules, energy landscapes, and defect formation, as well as developing programmable systems (e.g., DNA origami, block copolymers, colloidal crystals) for applications in materials science, nanotechnology, and biotechnology, often linking equilibrium self-assembly with nonequilibrium and hierarchical assembly processes.
Imagine materials that build themselves, responding intelligently to their environment to deliver drugs precisely where needed, scaffold regenerating tissues, or clean up pollutants. These are the promises of supramolecular ...
Nanomaterials
Apr 28, 2025
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Imagine tiny LEGO pieces that automatically snap together to form a strong, flat sheet. Then, scientists add special chemical "hooks" to these sheets to attach glowing molecules called fluorophores.
Nanomaterials
Apr 16, 2025
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Self-assembly or self-organization in molecular science refers to the phenomena where molecules spontaneously gather and form ordered structures, a unique property of materials used to develop optical and electronic materials.
Nanomaterials
Apr 11, 2025
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Polysiloxane materials, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based elastomers, exhibit a self-healing capability by the introduction of silanolate (Si–O–) groups. This ability stems from their dynamic siloxane (Si–O–Si) ...
Nanomaterials
Apr 1, 2025
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Seeking to mimic self-assembly processes that occur naturally, RIKEN researchers have demonstrated that the self-assembly of rod-shaped viruses can be controlled by applying a magnetic field. This could help in the development ...
Bio & Medicine
Mar 31, 2025
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Unsubstituted π-electronic systems with expanded π-planes are highly desirable for improving charge-carrier transport in organic semiconductors. However, their poor solubility and high crystallinity pose major challenges ...
Nanophysics
Mar 18, 2025
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With the long-term goal of creating living cells from non-living components, scientists in the field of synthetic biology work with RNA origami. This tool uses the multifunctionality of the natural RNA biomolecule to fold ...
Bio & Medicine
Mar 17, 2025
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Colloidal self-assembly is a process where colloidal particles spontaneously organize into ordered structures under specific conditions. Colloidal self-assembly serves as a foundation for designing materials like optoelectronic ...
Nanomaterials
Mar 14, 2025
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University at Albany researchers at the RNA Institute are pioneering new methods for designing and assembling DNA nanostructures, enhancing their potential for real-world applications in medicine, materials science and data ...
Bio & Medicine
Mar 12, 2025
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Using an approach called DNA origami, scientists at Caltech have developed a technique that could lead to cheaper, reusable biomarker sensors for quickly detecting proteins in bodily fluids, eliminating the need to send samples ...
Bio & Medicine
Feb 24, 2025
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